Safety fears disrupt schools amid Columbine anniversary

DENVER (AP) — Fears about student safety disrupted Denver area schools in the midst of events marking the 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting.

Students were kept late at a middle school in Lakewood on Friday so police could search the building after a tip was received about a possible weapon in the building. Another undisclosed tip led to a search and precautionary evacuation of students at Brighton High School and tightened security at elementary and middle schools in the city north of Denver.

Both tips came in through the Safe2Tell program, which was set up following the Columbine shooting to accept anonymous tips about concerns or threats.

A slate of events marking the Columbine anniversary continues Friday night with a community vigil planned at a park near the school building.