School administrators, officers investigating fight at East High School

SALT LAKE CITY — School administrators, along with school resource officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department, are investigating a fight that occurred Friday at East High School involving youth.

“During the altercation, at least one youth was observed handling what appeared to be a firearm,” Brent Weisberg, public information officer for the Salt Lake City Police Department, told KSL.

Weisberg went on to say there were no reports that the object was pointed at anyone or that any shots were fired.

Friday night, a letter was sent out to East High School families, detailing an incident involving two students from another school who came to campus and parked in the student parking lot.

“They stayed for a short time and did not come to the building. While they were in the parking lot, other students said they saw one of the students brandish a gun,” read part of the letter.

It is not immediately clear whether this is the same incident that Salt Lake City police is referring to, but the letter goes on to say once school administrators were notified, they worked to determine who the two students were. That information was then passed on to the school resource officer.

Pam Pedersen, principal of East High School, stated in the letter that officers are actively looking for the two students to question them about the allegation.

“I want to thank all involved for remaining calm and for helping us investigate and react for everyone’s safety. I am thankful for the professionalism and strong relationships between East High and our school resource officers. Those who reported what they knew did the right thing today, and I can’t stress enough how important it is for students, parents, and staff to say something when they see something,” continued the letter.

Weisberg strongly encouraged anyone with information about the altercation at East High, or any case involving a potential safety threat, to immediately contact law enforcement.

The letter reads in full:

“Dear East High School families and community,

There was an incident today at East High School. Two students from another school came to our campus and parked in the student parking lot. They stayed for a short time and did not come to the building. While they were in the parking lot, other students said they saw one of the students brandish a gun.

As soon as this allegation was brought to the attention of administration, all efforts were made to find out who the two students were, and we quickly got that information to our school resource officer. He and others in the Salt Lake City Police Department have the students’ names and information are actively looking for them for questioning about this allegation.

I want to thank all involved for remaining calm and for helping us investigate and react for everyone’s safety. I am thankful for the professionalism and strong relationships between East High and our school resource officers. Those who reported what they knew did the right thing today, and I can’t stress enough how important it is for students, parents, and staff to say something when they see something.

Please talk to your students about this. For any students who may not feel comfortable approaching staff directly about their concerns, I strongly urge you to download the SafeUT app, a free mobile app available in the Apple store or the Google store. This app serves many functions, including providing a way for students to share anonymous tips with school administrators.

If you have any questions about today or about any of our school safety protocols, please contact me at Pam.Pedersen@slcschools.org.

Pam Pedersen, Principal”