Eden Prairie High School adds extra security measures after shooting at football game

Eden Prairie High School adds extra security measures after shooting at football game Richard Reeve KSTP Eden Prairie adds extra security measures after shooting at football game Eden Prairie High School added metal detectors, bag checks and extra police at its home football game after a shooting outside the stadium left two teens wounded by gunfire.The Wednesday night game was the first home game since shots were fired outside Eden Prairie’s homecoming game on Oct. 2. Two people, ages 17 and 18, were wounded in what police are calling a gang-related shooting.RELATED: Eden Prairie Schools tightens security after homecoming shootingAt the game, security included metal detectors, bag checks and a high police presence. New rules also barred reentry after people left and stopped admission after halftime.Large bags and backpacks were banned, and students had to show a valid ID. The district said it is spending about $2,500 for metal detectors and security staff.What changed?These are big events with 1,500 to 2,000 attendees, according to a school spokesperson.“You know, you’d like to think that at a high school, is it really necessary? But at the same time, all it takes is one event,” Bryant Anderson, who has a son on the Eden Prairie football squad, said.“It’s a little sad, but hopefully it won’t be forever … a temporary reaction to what happened,” added Leslie Andersen, who also has a son on the team.RELATED: Suspect in Eden Prairie homecoming game shooting makes first court appearance; 4 others charged with riotDo parents support it?“Do you feel safer with these things in place?” 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS asked Andersen.“I do; I can see the strong police presence,” she says. “It’s going to be a question of whether someone’s bringing something in or not.”School leaders said the added security shows the challenge of keeping people safe while still making games feel like school events. The district said the protocols will stay in place for the rest of football season and for the upcoming basketball season.“What is the local expectation? How do we prioritize safety and ensure that you’re able to have a fun event?” explains Matt Hillman, the executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.“For sure, it is a tough balance,” Anderson notes. “You know, you want to keep people safe. But at the same time, this isn’t a Vikings or a Gophers game where you know, it’s like high school football. You can’t imagine it would come to high school football where you’re requiring metal detectors and security and all of that.”