COLUMBUS, Ind. – A Columbus North High School student reported to a dean on Monday that another student might be in possession of a handgun. School Resource Officers (SRO) immediately began an investigation and found the alleged student, along with three other students, at the Taco Bell on 25th Street.
As SRO Deputy Teancum Clark approached the high-schoolers, they fled. Clark located three of the four students, including the one who was thought to be in possession of the handgun. The fourth student got away but was identified. The three students who were apprehended were taken to the Bartholomew County Juvenile Youth Services Center and remanded for truancy and resisting law enforcement.
Authorities learned the gun had been thrown into nearby landscaping during the foot pursuit. A thorough search by deputies and a K9 unit did not turn up the weapon. Detectives believe the fourth student, who had evaded apprehension, later went back to the scene and retrieved the firearm. Deputies eventually tracked down the handgun in question, plus a second handgun, both of which had been reported as stolen by the Franklin Police Department.
According to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in an effort to not interfere with an ongoing investigation that was going on after school hours, this information was not made public until the investigation was completed. BCSO says at no time were staff and students in danger of being harmed on campus. Due to safety concerns and disruption at school, BCSC Administration will be taking disciplinary action.
“I want to commend Deputy Clark and other SROs for working extensively throughout the night to bring quick and safe resolution. I also want to highlight the process of “See Something, Say Something” being instilled in our students and its effectiveness in this incident.” stated Sheriff Myers.