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Jefferson County 7th grader brought gun to school twice, superintendent says

The students said a seventh grader brought a 9mm pistol to De Soto Junior High School twice within a three-day span last week

DE SOTO, Mo. — A boy in Jefferson County is facing discipline after fellow students came forward to say he brought a gun to school – twice.

De Soto School District Superintendent Josh Isaacson confirmed with 5 On Your Side that an investigation into the matter started Tuesday morning after students came forward with the information.

The students said a seventh-grader brought a 9mm pistol to De Soto Junior High School twice within a three-day span last week, once on Sept. 29 and again on Oct. 1. Isaacson said the gun was unloaded. He had it in his book bag and inside his locker.

Isaacson also said at one point last Wednesday, the boy opened his book bag and showed the gun to other students.

“It’s very scary. Anything can happen,” said a concerned Jefferson County mom.

She told 5 On Your Side’s Robert Townsend that her daughter knows the boy.

School administrators took the matter to De Soto police and the Jefferson County student resource officer. An investigation led police to take the child out of school. Isaacson said necessary disciplinary actions will be taken according to district policy.

“The presence of a weapon of any kind is unacceptable in the school setting and we were devastated to learn a handgun had been brought into one of our schools on multiple occasions, putting students and staff at risk,” Isaacson said in a statement to 5 On Your Side.

“My daughter came home and told us what happened," the concerned mom said. "She knows the boy and witnessed him getting handcuffed and she’s not comfortable with it. We have so much to worry about nowadays with our kids. We don’t need added fears,"

The superintendent went on to thank the students who came forward to let school officials know about the situation.

“The willingness of other students to bring information forward to parents, teachers, administrators, or police is vital and an intrical [sic] part in keeping everyone safe within all of our schools,” he wrote.

The superintendent also said the district will now review its security procedures at De Soto Junior High and all of its schools.

Meantime, the seventh-grader will face disciplinary action.

“Bringing a firearm on a school premise is a safe school violation, which can be up to a 365-day suspension, including expulsion,” added Dr. Isaacson.

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