The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an incident involving a student who had a handgun in a backpack at Plaza Middle School in the Park Hill School District.
Major Erik Holland says the handgun was located upon the student’s arrival at the school based on a report from another student. The student, a 12-year-old male, is currently in custody being interviewed by juvenile authorities.
The school was placed on a hold out of an abundance of caution at approximately 7:30 a.m. this morning (Tuesday) and the hold was released by 8:20 a.m. Currently there is no threat to the school or any students or staff, officials say.
Sheriff Mark Owen stated, “I applaud the student who brought this incident to light. We encourage students to report anything that poses a threat to school staff or the school resource officer. Protecting our schools not only takes a good relationship between the school district and law enforcement but also involves the students, parents, and the community. The quick response of our school resource officers and the Park Hill School District staff allowed us to resolve this incident while safeguarding the students and staff.”
Plaza Middle School is located at 6501 NW 72nd St, Kansas City in Platte County.
This is the second recent incident of a gun within a Park Hill middle school. The previous incident occurred on Aug. 26 at the Lakeview Middle School, located at 6720 NW 64th St, Kansas City in Platte County.