Gun recovered at PBHS, officials report no threat made to students

By DONNA FARLEY

Editor

Tips from students Tuesday morning led Poplar Bluff High School administration to a handgun that had been brought onto campus, district officials report.

The gun was recovered from the student’s backpack by 8:32 a.m., Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman said. The weapon was not loaded but the student also had a magazine and two rounds of ammunition.

It is not believed, through early investigations, that any harm was planned to Poplar Bluff students.

“He felt threatened from an adult in the community,” Cornman said shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, after coordinating with Poplar Bluff police and local juvenile authorities. “We don’t believe on the information that was gathered that there was ever any threat to our students or staff.”

The situation stemmed from a recent incident that occurred outside of school, in the Poplar Bluff community, Cornman said.

He said he was grateful to the student or students who came forward, as well as all of the involved agencies.

“I’m extremely appreciative of the vigilance of the kids,” he said. “I believe it takes all of us working together to keep our kids safe...

“It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to keep them all safe.”

School had barely been in session 20 minutes when the situation was resolved, Cornman said.

He hopes this will be a learning experience for the district and families.

“I hope that parents take this opportunity to talk to their children about how their actions can have serious consequences,” he said.

The district is working with the juvenile office and police, “to hold the student accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Cornman said.

The student and investigation have been handed over to juvenile authorities, Chief Mike McClain and Chief Deputy Keith Hefner said Tuesday afternoon.

The initial incident that was reported involving the outside adult will be investigated further, Hefner said. Authorities are also continuing to investigate where the student obtained the weapon.

McClain commended school resource officer Corp. Rich Knapp and school staff members for their quick action in this incident.

“This most recent incident shines a light on the positive impact that having a full-time SRO at the school district has,” McClain said.

The student or students who made the report felt comfortable enough to come forward, Hefner said.

“(That) in turn translated into officer already on scene being able to handle that situation,” he said.

It will now be up to juvenile officials to decide how to proceed with the case, McClain said.

The district will also need to wait until juvenile law enforcement has decided what, if any charges, are filed, before proceeding with disciplinary action on its side, Cornman said.

“Typically, with an infraction of this nature, the law allows building administration to suspend the student for up to 10 days and then refer them to the superintendent for further (discipline),” Cornman said.

Further discipline could include up to 180 days out of school suspension, which is a full calendar year, or expulsion.

“What makes this a multifaceted issue is that if the student is remanded to juvenile custody and incarcerated... It depends on what the student is charged with,” Cornman said.

Some felony charges incur an automatic expulsion, he said.

Parents and the public were notified immediately of the situation Tuesday morning through reports to the media and automated phone messages.

Editor's note: This article was updated at 4 p.m. to add information from Poplar Bluff Police Department.