Handgun found in backpack at Shawnee Mission high school; student taken into custody
Police have taken a student into custody after officials found a handgun and other contraband in the student’s backpack at a Shawnee Mission high school Thursday, police said in a news release.
Police responded about 10:30 a.m. to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School at 12701 W. 67th Street after the weapon was found, said Maj. Jim Baker, a spokesman for the Shawnee Police Department, in the release.
At the time the gun was discovered, school staff were conducting an administrative investigation of the student. Officials notified a Shawnee Police Department school resource officer who seized the items, Baker said.
In a message sent to students’ families, Northwest Principal Lisa Gruman said the weapon was discovered during an investigation of an unrelated matter.
“There is no evidence that the student had any intention of using the weapon hear at Northwest,” Gruman said in the notice. “I can assure you that this matter will be handled in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and district policies.”
Gruman said that was the extent of the information that can be released at this time.
“I do want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to maintain Northwest as a safe learning environment,” she said.
Middle and high school students in the Shawnee Mission School District have been learning in a hybrid of online and in-person classes since late January due to the coronavirus pandemic. District officials announced this week that students will return to in-person, full-time instruction starting on March 22.
There are no known threats to students or school staff, police said.
The school is expected to conduct an administrative investigation as police continue their investigation into the incident.
This story was originally published February 25, 2021 at 12:33 PM.
