Parent had meth, marijuana and a gun at Blue Springs elementary school, police say

A 33-year-old man was charged Thursday with illegally carrying a gun into a Blue Springs elementary school. Police also seized drugs upon apprehending him outside the school.

Shaunee Burkhart, a parent of students at the school, was charged in U.S. District Court in Kansas City with being an illegal drug user in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in a school zone.

The incident occurred Wednesday about 10 a.m. at James Walker Elementary School.

School officials said that Burkhart, 33, was ushered out of the building by school staff because he was acting "erratically."

When police arrived, he "sped up the pace of his walk" as they approached and hid behind some trees across the street from the school, according to court records.

Police approached him and confiscated a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun that was in Burkhart's rear waistband.

Burkhart's sister arrived and began to hug Burkhart. Officers noticed her take something from Burkhart's breast pocket and attempt to conceal it in her shirt or bra, according to court documents.

Police seized the item — a cigarette package — and found inside it two baggies containing meth. Police also said they found a marijuana cigarette in Burkhart's possession.

Police wrote they believed Burkhart was under the influence of a drug during the interaction. He appeared disoriented and his speech was slurred, an officer observed.

An officer also smelled marijuana upon approaching Burkhart. The officer noticed Burkhart smoking something outside the school.

Burkhart admitted to smoking marijuana over the last five years and said he had been using meth in the past month.

Burkhart remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Tuesday.

This story was originally published March 1, 2018 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Parent had meth, marijuana and a gun at Blue Springs elementary school, police say."