School staffer on leave: Gun found in locker

A staff member at a Minneapolis public school has been put on administrative leave after bringing a loaded gun to school Wednesday morning.

Police found the loaded handgun in a locked locker at Seward Montesorri School in south Minneapolis. The staffer, a woman in her late 50s, was escorted from the building and placed on leave. Minneapolis Public Schools and the Minneapolis Police Department are investigating the incident.

School district officials say there is no evidence that the employee intended to use the gun. They say students and staff did not face a threat.

"In this particular incident, nothing was directed toward any student or staff member, but we still need to take it seriously," said school district spokesman Stan Alleyne.

Bringing a gun into a school is a violation of Minnesota law and Minneapolis school district policy.

Students remained in their classrooms throughout the day at the first through eighth grade school and were dismissed at their usual time.

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