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SALT LAKE CITY — Deseret Peak High School in Tooele was put under a secure and hold status on Tuesday as medical personnel worked to clean up an unknown substance inside the school. It was later found to be cocaine. Sgt. Colby Bentley with the Tooele Police Department later said the substance was confirmed to be cocaine, and he said about 20 students may have been exposed. All were examined by emergency crews. Bentley said a student found the white powdery substance in a bathroom on a toilet paper dispenser and alerted staff. According to Brett Valdez, communications director for Tooele County School District, the substance was found in a school bathroom at 9:30 a.m. He said two staff members were exposed, and one was taken to a hospital. Valdez said the substance was tested by medical personnel who were brought in to properly identify and dispose of it. Under the secure status, all exterior doors were locked to those who wished to enter and exit the building, but students and teachers were able to resume their day as usual. With the hold status also in place, some areas of the building are cut off to those inside the school as the substance is dealt with. Emergency management, ambulance and fire responded to the scene as well as a precaution.
Contributing: Jacob Freeman, KSL TV This story is breaking and will be updated as more information becomes available.
