Several parents and students attending Friday night’s Dowagiac football game were worried that an attending student was in possession of a handgun. According to Dowagiac Public Safety Director Steven Grinnewald, the gun was actually an air soft gun.

According to a press release from Dowagiac Public Safety, “Through the school resources officer, Dowagiac police officers and Dowagiac School administration members were able to quickly locate the student and separate him from the crowd in a safe and secure manner.”

Public safety said the air soft gun was not loaded and that it was determined that the student was merely in possession of the gun; he did not display or threaten anyone with it.

The press release read that the student was turned over to his parents. The case is not considered a criminal incident and is being handled by Dowagiac Schools.

According to the press release, “Director Grinnewald would like to remind the community that the school football games are school sanctioned events on school property and because of this they are weapons free zones. This includes items like air soft guns that could be mistaken for a weapon.”

Patrons with any additional information regarding this case shouldcontact the Dowagiac Police Department at (269)782-9743.