No one harmed after Gaiser Middle School student found with knife; Vancouver district reviewing incident

A Gaiser Middle School student was found carrying a knife on school bus No. 111 headed for Roosevelt Elementary School Thursday morning, according to a letter sent home to parents from Roosevelt Principal Jill Mackenzie.

No students were harmed, but the letter said that the incident was “very upsetting” for students on the bus and the bus driver.

“As soon as someone saw the knife, our bus driver notified law enforcement, and called our safety office,” Mackenzie said in the letter. “District administration, Vancouver Police Department and a DRO safety officer immediately responded, removed the student from the bus and took away the weapon. Disciplinary action will of course be taken.”

Weapons of any kind are not allowed on school grounds or buses, per Vancouver Public Schools policy.

District spokesperson Jessica Roberts said Thursday afternoon that the district is still investigating camera footage from the bus to see what exactly happened. Other students on the bus also spoke with school counselors Thursday.

“We take weapons on buses or school grounds very seriously and the student will receive the appropriate discipline,” Roberts said.