William Penn Cancels Classes To Investigate Tuesday Shooting

William Penn High School will close for the rest of the week. (William Penn High Facebook)

William Penn High School will close the rest of the week to allow the Delaware State Police to investigate an incident Tuesday in which a gun was fired.

Friday, Jan. 13th is a professional development day, so students were already scheduled to have the day off.

Classes won’t be held virtually Wednesday or Thursday, and the Colonial School District has no plans to make up those days.

“We will work through that in the coming weeks,” Superintendent Jeff Menzer said. “Trying to go virtual on such short notice would further add to the emotional stress.”

No one was hurt and the weapon has been confiscated by police officers.

School officials declined to say specifically that a student brought a gun to class, noting that the situation was under police investigation.

“The safety of staff and students remains our immediate priority,” said a statement from the district Tuesday night. “By allowing for this break it provides officials with the time to properly investigate and gives everyone time needed to regroup after today’s events.”

William Penn High School students will return to school Tuesday, Jan. 17 after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

“While we are disappointed this unfortunate incident occurred, we are thankful no one was injured and that students and staff responded quickly to safety protocols put in place,” Menzer said. “We will get through these unsettling times together and will keep families updated.”

The district’s statement encouraged students to reach out to counselors or call the National Mental Health Hotline at 988 or 1-800-969-4357.

When students return, extra support will be available for students who need individual or group support, the statement said.