UPDATE @ 8:44 p.m.:
The gun found in an 8-year-old’s book bag at Simon Kenton Elementary School was discovered at the end of the day before dismissal, according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Hill.
“As a parent and as a resident, you wonder if it’s safe to send your children to school and if they will return safely,” Nina Wiley of Springfield said to News Center 7’s James Buechele about the incident Tuesday.
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UPDATE @ 7:36 p.m.:
The 8-year-old student who brought a gun to school in his book bag will face discipline in accordance with Springfield City School Districts student code of conduct, according to Superintendent Dr. Robert Hill.
Hill said he was proud of the staff at Simon Kenton for their quick response in ensuring the safety of the students.
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INITIAL REPORT:
A student at Simon Kenton Elementary School brought a gun to school in his book bag on Tuesday according to Springfield Police.
The 8-year-old told police that he thought another student was going to hurt him and that is why he had a gun. The gun was found unloaded by a teacher who was putting homework in the suspect’s backpack.
Police responded to Simon Kenton Elementary School at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and arrested the student in question. According to police the suspect will be charged with Illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone.
No one was hurt in the process of securing the weapon and the student is currently in custody. We will update this developing story with the latest details as we receive them.
