Fruitless Fridley Search for 'Guy with Rifle' Spooks Mom at School Bus Stop

After Newtown school shootings, it 'scared me to my bones.'

A resident of the Springbrook Apartments in Fridley said the week got of to a scary start Monday morning when police with rifles drawn said to get back inside as she walked her child to the school bus stop. Fridley Police Lt. Mike Monsrud said that at about 8:51 a.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to the Springbrook Apartments, 191 83rd Ave. NE "on a report of a guy walking around with a rifle." Police checked the area where people said the person with the rifle had gone, including between the complex's 191 83rd Ave. and 101 83rd Ave. buildings, Monsrud said. But they didn't find a gunman or even any sign of him, he said, such as tracks in the snow. "That's why there were so many [police] up there with long guns out," Monsrud said. …

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How You Can Help Families Affected by Newtown School Shooting from Fridley

People all over the world want to know how to help Sandy Hook residents following Friday's horrifying mass shooting. Post "I want to help" in this comment thread to get updates on what you can do.

In the wake of the unimaginable tragedy at Sandy Hook School Friday people from all over the world—in Connecticut, California, Canada and much farther away in Australia and India— have sent an outpouring of support and want to know how they can help. If you want to be notified via email of ways to provide comfort and support during this difficult time, please post in the comments section: "I want to help." In Fridley, the messages of support and sympathy have come from school districts, teachers and churches: Patch will continue to update this article with ways to help—posting updates to the story as well as in the comments thread, triggering an email notification to commenters—and if you know of an organization or fundraiser providing …

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Fridley Church New Sign's First Message Sends Prayers to Newtown

At St. Philip's, a digital message of support.

'A Tragedy in Connecticut That Affects Us All'—Spring Lake Park Schools

Reaction to Newtown school shooting from Fridley area, MN

Minnesotans in the Fridley area and across the state voiced sadness and sympathy in response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT Friday. Here are a few of those statements. Add your comment below. Spring Lake Park Schools: "Our hearts go out to all those in the Newton, Connecticut school community affected by Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. We are all affected by news such as this, when tragedy visits a school in another state or anywhere. "So we wanted to take just a moment to remind you that providing a safe environment in each of our schools, and providing for the safety and security of our students and staff is always our number one priority. We care about these students as if they were our …

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More Resources for Talking to Kids about Violence against Kids

Five links that could help you help your children.

Helping Children Manage Distress in Aftermath of a Mass Shooting

The American Psychological Association has tips for talking to kids, recommended by an Anoka-Hennepin teacher.