Officials at Portland Elementary School in Springfield are informing parents that a loaded handgun was discovered today in a student’s backpack.
Principal Josh Holt said in a letter that they have no indication of any threats made to the school or to any individuals in the school.
“Today, two observant students reported seeing a student with something that appeared to be a gun. Upon investigation, a loaded handgun was discovered in a student's backpack,” the letter stated.
The student who reporting the suspicious activity also stated that the other student had no intention to use the gun at school, Holt said.
The student in question was transported to Juvenile Detention, according to Holt’s letter, and he says that other appropriate disciplinary procedures are being followed.
The principal noted that Springfield Police are assisting in the investigation.
Holt notes that even though I cannot discuss specifics, “I do want you to know that we do our best every day to protect the safety of your child while they are at school.”
“I want to thank the students who initially reported seeing something unusual. It is an important reminder that we all-students, staff and parents-share a responsibility for school safety and to report when we observe anything out of the ordinary or suspicious.”
View Holt's full letter to parents here.