Gunshot fired at Rainier Beach High, prompting brief lockdown

Rainier Beach High School has reopened after a brief lockdown that went into effect when a student fired a gun on campus, according to school officials and Seattle police.

An argument between two students that culminated in one of the two wielding a gun and firing a single shot in the air, school officials and police said.

No one was injured, and students were at lunch by noon .

According to Principal Robert Gary Jr., the students were on break around 9:45 a.m when an argument began between two students outside the school.

"During the argument, one of the students decided to pull a gun out of the pocket of the jacket they were wearing," said Gary. "From what eyewitnesses said it was a handgun. Our security specialist arrived, but is not armed and he saw the person brandish the gun and shoot the gun off in the air. We don't know why."

Gary said the student did not aim the weapon at anyone.

School officials saw the student place the gun back in his pocket and take off running down the street, cutting through the Lake Washington Apartments.

"It's not nearly as exciting as it was reported," said Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb. "The kid showed up, waved a gun and fired a shot in the air."

Police said they are looking for the suspect. Gary said the student will be expelled in accordance with district policy.

According to a Seattle police spokesman, the argument was apparently over a financial matter.

"We know exactly who he is and where he lives and we are actively investigating and looking for him," said Whitcomb.