Burlington, Vt. police apologize to high school students after surprising mock shooting display

CNN
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Police in Burlington, Vermont, have apologized to high school students who were shaken by a role-playing game that included a simulated shooting and drew criticism from parents and local officials.

About 20 students from a Burlington High School Year End Studies (YES) forensics class went to the police station for a field trip Wednesday where school officials knew a crime reenactment would occur, said school district spokesperson Russ Elek in a statement to VTDigger.

However, school officials “did not realize the presentation would take place without warning,” Elek said.

During the visit, three members of the Burlington Police Department simulated a robbery scenario that did not target students or faculty, the department said in a statement. Police said they contacted school staff last months on the details of the protest, “including saying that the training incident would involve 'the use of imitation firearms in a simulated shooting.'

Police said they asked school staff if the protest would be appropriate for the group of students, saying: “It's about as real as it gets, and it's certainly exactly the sort of thing that we face most frequently.”

“YES Program staff responded: “I think these students will feel good about this simulation. We will inform parents and students,'” according to the police statement.

But in an email sent to students' families after the incident, school officials wrote that the simulation “was surprising to many students and may have left some feeling confused and scared,” the VTDigger.

A representative for Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak also told CNN that parents and students were upset after the protest.

The Burlington Police Department said it “apologizes to all students in attendance who were upset by the specific scenario and crime scene in the presentation.”

CNN has reached out to the Burlington School District for comment.

Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak said in a statement to CNN that she apologizes “for the harm and distress this incident has caused to Burlington High School students – students who tragically grew up in a society where gun violence , including in schools, has become commonplace.”

The mayor said she hopes the school district and police department “take responsibility for the damage caused and think about all the ways this should have been handled differently and not happen again in the future.”

The police department said it will meet with students and staff Friday to discuss the presentation and its impact.

“We hope this can provide a thoughtful growth opportunity for all parties,” the ministry said.

CNN's Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.