Gun found at middle school; two juveniles charged By SANDRA STONE On April 11, a 14-year-old student brought an unloaded gun to Stuart Pepper Middle School. Evidently, he had found the gun and intended to show it to another student, a 15-year-old male. A staff member monitoring the hallway was aware of the students’ activities and reported it immediately. The authorities were called, and Meade County Sheriff Butch Kerrick and School Resource Officer Mike Cummings were on the scene within minutes. The gun and the students involved were removed from school property, and neither student will be attending Stuart Pepper Middle School while the investigation continues. There were no threats involved with the incident, according to Paul Poole, director of personnel for Meade County schools. “It wasn’t where the kids brought a gun and threatened anyone. One said he found it and brought it to show someone else. It wasn’t a threatening, volatile situation,” said Poole. “This incident was handled so well because one of the staff members was where she was supposed to be, supervising kids. They handled the incident really well. Parents should have a lot of confidence in the staff and how they handled it,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence in them.” Cummings concurred with Poole’s assessment of the situation. “There were no threats involved that we have been able to associate with this,” said Cummings, who also agreed with Poole’s praise of the middle school staff. “Everyone did a super job with the situation. It was handled very well, very appropriately and very professionally by the staff at Stuart Pepper Middle School. I commend them for their efforts.” The 14-year-old male who brought the gun to school is charged with possession of a weapon on school property-complicity. The 15-year-old male who had it in his possession at the time it was discovered is charged with possession of a weapon on school property. Both are Class D felonies. Click Here to Go Back
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