Loaded firearm confiscated from student without incident
A Lawrence Police Department SUV is parked outside Lawrence High School on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 12. Earlier in the day, a gun was removed from a student at school. It was the second such incident in less than a week.
January 8, 2020
A loaded firearm was confiscated without incident from a student at Lawrence High this afternoon, the first school day back from winter break.
Faculty and the Lawrence Police Department confiscated the firearm after receiving student reports of a weapon, according to a district news release by Director of Communications, Julie Boyle. No incidents or threats were made.
According to the Lawrence Journal-World, Sgt. Amy Rhoads of the Lawrence Police Department said officers responded around 1:20 p.m.
“Staff contacted the student’s parents/guardians, initiated disciplinary action for the student in accordance with Board Policy, and informed the LHS school community of the investigation,” Boyle said.
This marks the fourth weapon confiscated by administration in the last two school years, two involving a firearm and one a taser last February. In all cases involving a firearm, a tip from students led to the discovery of the weapon by staff.
“Continue to help us encourage students to report safety concerns to a teacher or another adult at school,” interim principal Cynthia Johnson said in a letter to LHS families. “Open communication leads to prevention!”
The three weapon incidents last year resulted in a community conversation hosted by Superintendent Anthony Lewis at Lawrence High.
“My main concern is how normal this sort of thing has become…” junior Addison Agnew said. “It’s good that it was taken care of and that a scene was avoided, but it’s sad to think how regular this is.”
