By Patrick Tepoorten

A recently concluded investigation by North Branch School Resource Officer Wayne Schwalbe has a North Branch student expelled on a weapons violation.

According to North Branch Police Chief Jules Zimmer, officer Schwalbe began the investigation after an incident that took place on April 7.

Zimmer stated that, on that day, two students became involved in a verbal altercation in one of the high school gyms.

At some point during the argument, one of the students, a male 16-year-old from the Harris area, pulled a folding
knife out of his pocket, flashed the four-inch blade and threatened to use it on the other student.

The knife was never used. No fight or struggle for the knife occurred and a teacher responded to the situation immediately and confiscated the weapon.

The North Branch school board approved a one year expulsion at their meeting on April 27. Although district Community Relations Coordinator Sara Thompson confirmed that the incident in the gym occurred and the offending student expelled, and confirming that the April 27 expulsion was related to a weapons violation, she would not confirm that they are related.

Schwalbeís investigation conclusions have been sent to Chisago County Attorney Katherine Johnson for possible assault charges.

However, because the suspect is a minor, Johnson was unable to comment on her officeís involvement or whether or not charges will be pursued.

Comment from Krysta Breivik, 5/5/06

Reading this article from my computer in Fredericksburg, VA really frightens me. Being a former student of NBHS (class of 2002!) I would never have EVER thought something like this would have happened in good ol' North Branch. I have a brother who is a sophmore at NBHS and I am very thankfull that no one was hurt and that appropriate action was immediately taken. Good job guys! Hope to be back soon!