A police operation was launched this Monday at the Vado de Topater D-49 School in Calama after a seventh-grade student was found with a toy pistol.
In an official statement, the school reported that the incident occurred during the morning. The student was carrying a pellet gun-style toy, which immediately triggered security protocols regarding the possession of weapons.
Following the discovery, the administration notified the head of student welfare and the school's General Inspectorate. The school also requested the immediate presence of the student's guardian to address the situation.
To ensure the safety of all students, the institution requested assistance from the Carabineros. Simultaneously, the school implemented containment measures for the affected class, utilizing its psychosocial support team.
Investigation of the seizure
Carabineros arrived at the premises following the report to verify the nature of the object. During the procedure, officers seized the pellet gun to subject it to a detailed technical analysis.
According to reports from ADN Radio, authorities did not rule out the possibility during the operation that the mechanism could have been modified to fire live ammunition. This possibility prompted a larger-scale police intervention.
School administration clarified that the object is a toy weapon without pellets. The school emphasized that the situation was managed in strict accordance with current protocols and that student safety was maintained at all times.
The incident sparked alarm among parents and guardians within the school community. The presence of such objects in the school environment has caused growing concern among families in the Antofagasta region.
School officials issued a direct call to parents to increase supervision of items students bring to school. The statement emphasized that preventing such situations must begin at home.
Additionally, the institution urged families to monitor minors' social media use. The school is currently providing psychological support to the school community following Monday's incident.