Rogers High School briefly went into “Shelter In Place” mode Wednesday morning after reports of gunshots in the school parking lot.
Around 11:10 a.m., Newport Police received a call about gunfire at the school. This triggered a large law enforcement response and a lockdown of the building.
As police investigated, they quickly suspected the weapon was an air gun, not a real firearm.
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said in a statement, “Rogers High School administration was immediately notified and quickly put a ‘Shelter in Place’ into effect.”
Police identified a student suspect who admitted to having an air gun in their car. They took the student into custody and seized the weapon.
No one was hurt, and police determined there was no direct threat to students, staff, or the community.
Newport Police said, “Our investigation shows the suspect wasn’t targeting anyone but was showing off how the weapon worked.”
The lockdown ended shortly after noon, and students went back to their normal activities.
Jermain reassured parents and the community, “All students and staff are safe.”
The student suspect is facing several charges related to the incident. Because of their age, specific details about the charges aren’t being released.
Full Statements Provided
Cathy Nash, the Administrative Assistant to Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain, emailed the following update at 11:53 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19.
Rogers High School is currently in Shelter In Place. Police are on the campus investigating and we will have an update in approximately 10 minutes.
At 12:05 p.m., Nash provided the following update;
Shelter In Place at RHS is over. Everyone is safe. An additional update will be provided in approximately 10 minutes.
At 12:58 p.m., the following press release was issued from Newport Public Schools;
Dear Newport Public School Parents, Families, Staff and Community:
Late this morning a call came into Newport Police of a student seen with a weapon shooting towards the tennis courts. Rogers High School administration was immediately informed and quickly enacted a “Shelter in Place”. During this time Newport Police were immediately on the campus to investigate the situation. The student involved was located and taken into custody. This individual admitted to the activity and having an air gun in the car. The “Shelter in Place” was lifted and all students resumed school activities. At this time all students and staff are safe.
Sincerely,
Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
At 1:47 pm, Newport Police Department provided the following update;
On 3/19/25 at about 11:10 a.m., the Newport Police Department received a call that there were gunshots fired in the parking lot of Rogers High School. This prompted a large law enforcement response and a lockdown of the school. Officers immediately began to conduct an investigation.
Shortly into the investigation it was suspected the weapon being used was an air style weapon.
Detectives identified a juvenile suspect and it was determined that a BB gun was in fact fired in the parking lot. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody, the weapon was seized and the lockdown was lifted. No one was injured and it was determined there was no direct threat to the students, public or the community. The investigation indicates the suspect did not target any person but was showing off the function of the weapon. The suspect is facing several charges at this time.
