This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Helper student now knows his drama prop looks convincing enough to pass as the real thing after it caused panic and prompted his school to go into lockdown.
Helper Police Chief Trent Anderson said the Helper Junior High drama club student decided for whatever reason to bring his fake rifle to school Tuesday morning. As the boy waited for a bus to pick him up to take him to Price at about 8 a.m., police received multiple reports that a student had a gun and had boarded a bus with it, Anderson said.
Officials were concerned enough that they locked down Helper Junior High and Sally Mauro Elementary School for about 30 minutes while they sorted through the reports.
Anderson said police later determined the student did in fact have a gun — a fake wooden prop that couldn't shoot ammunition.
"We're glad to see it was just a prop gun," he said.
Anderson said the student likely wouldn't face any disciplinary action for his decision.
"It was innocent. Obviously a poor decision but innocent in nature."
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