Burlington, Vt. police apologize to students involved in simulated shooting scenario

The Burlington Police Department has apologized to students following a controversial high school presentation involving a simulated shooting.

Department officials released a statement Thursday about a recent presentation given to Burlington High School students who were part of the End of Year Studies, or YES, program.

Police say the display used fake guns to simulate a shooting.

Police decided to issue a statement because a subsequent social media post after the presentation indicated that students attending the presentation were reportedly upset by what happened.

“The Burlington Police Department apologizes to all students in attendance who were upset by the specific scenario and crime scene of the presentation,” the statement read in part. “The role-play scenario involved just three department staff simulating a flight scenario and was not directed at any students or faculty.”

Police went on to say that Burlington District staff associated with the YES program contacted BPD in April about the presentation, following a previous successful presentation between police and the BHS Science in Society program in fall 2023.

BPD said it discussed with staff specific details of the scenarios presented during the May presentation, which included “the use of imitation firearms during a simulated shooting.”

Police shared part of their discussion with program staff.

“Do you think this kind of incident would be acceptable to your group of students? It's about as real as it gets, and it's certainly exactly the kind of thing we deal with most frequently,” declared the police in their correspondence.

Police said YES program staff agreed that students would be OK with such a presentation.

“I think this simulation will be suitable for these students. We will inform parents and students,” they responded, according to police.

Police said they take the complaints in the social media post seriously and the BPD supervisor involved in the submission has already contacted YES program staff to discuss the matter further.

Department members are expected to meet with BSD students and staff on Friday to discuss the presentation and its impact.

NBC5 has reached out to the Burlington School District and Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and is awaiting a statement.

This is breaking news. It will be updated when more information becomes available.