News

Actions

Loaded gun found in kindergarten classroom at North College Hill Elementary

Kids passed gun around until one alerted teacher
Posted at 1:59 PM, Dec 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-08 19:40:32-05

NORTH COLLEGE HILL, Ohio – How did a loaded gun get into a kindergarten classroom, where kids passed it around?

That's what police are trying to determine after an incident at North College Hill Elementary Wednesday.

Police were immediately called and that’s when they found the gun contained two rounds. Police Chief  Ryan Schrand said it could easily have been mistaken for a toy gun. 

Who it belongs to and how it got inside the classroom is still unclear, the chief said Thursday.

“The problem that we’re having is that you’re getting several different conflicting stories, but I tend to think that will happen when you have a bunch of 5- and 6-year olds,” Schrand said.

Superintendent Eugene Blalock Jr. said quick response and helpful training by teachers and police kept everyone safe.

“We have a document that tells you for every incident that may happen, be it a gun, a bomb threat, or an intruder, in the beginning what’s the protocol and what you're supposed to do," Blalock Jr. said.

Students'  backpacks were searched first thing Thursday morning as a precaution. And the school sent an email to parents around noon  alerting them of the situation.

But some parents say more should have been done.

“The school is usually pretty good about that. I’m actually surprised that us as parents didn’t receive a phone call about that yesterday,” said Sarah Taylor.

Taylor said  she plans to remind her child about gun safety.

“If you see a gun, obviously she knows what one looks like but doesn’t know anything about them, make sure you tell a teacher immediately cause serious thing could happen."

The police chief said they have put in a request to track the serial number on the gun in hopes of finding the rightful owner, but that could take at least a few days.