Update: Student brought 1,500 fentanyl pills to Horizon Middle School
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Here at Horizon Middle School, a student was taken in by the School Resource Officer after staff were notified of a student carrying potentially illegal substances. What they found was a tremendous amount of pills.
“Officer Horn and other members of our department, including detectives from our narcotics unit, began an investigation. During the course of that investigation, they were able to determine, through field testing, that the pills were suspected of containing fentanyl. There were an estimated 1,500 pills in possession of this student,” said Chris Helmick, Moorhead Police Chief.
Moorhead Police Chief Chris Helmick said the student is a 13-year-old male and has been arrested for first-degree possession of a controlled substance. As Helmick spoke of the situation, he became emotional as he said his own children attend the school.
“I think Dr. Lunak and I are both tired of these incidents. It’s frustrating for both of us, because we are trying to do what we can to keep the school safe, and then these things happen,” said Helmick.
Moorhead Public Schools Superintendent also wanted to thank the student who notified staff of the pills. And hope that others may do the same.
“If you see something, say something. At the same time, the only way that we’re going to continue to address these situations is to address them head-on. And we’re going to do that in this instance as well. You heard what our reaction is going to be that from this point forward, in terms of how we’re going to deter these types of events from happening, is to support the chief in those actions,” said Dr. Brandon Lunak, Moorhead Area Public Schools Superintendent.
According to Lunak, the student will be faced with appropriate disciplinary action, which may include expulsion. The investigation is ongoing.
Moorhead police will now start to conduct periodic random K9 searches in both Horizon Middle School and Moorhead Career Academy High School.
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MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – A student has been arrested for bringing 1,500 fentanyl pills to Horizon Middle School in Moorhead.
Moorhead Police say the incident was handled swiftly and safely by school staff and the School Resource Officer, with no disruption to the school day.
The student was taken into custody without incident and the matter is under investigation.
“The safety and security of our students is our highest priority,” said Moorhead Area Public Schools Superintendent Brandon Lunak.
“Any possession, distribution, or involvement with illegal substances is taken extremely seriously in Moorhead Area Public Schools. Students found to be in violation of law or district policy will face appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, and the District will cooperate fully with law enforcement in pursuing prosecution when applicable.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
