Joplin High student arrested after bringing stolen weapon on campus

UPDATE: Joplin Police have released this press release

“This morning, 1-22-2019, a school resource officer with the Joplin Police Department became involved in an investigation at the Joplin High School, regarding a juvenile who had brought a handgun to the school.

A 14-year-old juvenile male at the high school was contacted and a handgun was seized. The juvenile was transported to the Jasper County Juvenile Detention where he is being held on for unlawful use of a weapon.

The handgun was discovered to have been reported stolen to the Joplin Police Department on 12-14-2018. In that case, the handgun was stolen from an unlocked vehicle on the northwest part of town at a residence.
Though the investigation is early, at this time there is no known threats that were made and no further safety concern is known.”

A juvenile Joplin High School student was taken into custody this morning after a stolen weapon was found in their possession on campus. That student was apprehended by officials after another student overhead a comment about the student having the weapon.

“A stolen weapon was confirmed and confiscated from the juvenile student,” the statement from the school district said.

The student was not identified. The statement adds that there was no direct threat to the school or any intent to harm.

The school day will go on as normal as Joplin Police continue their investigation. “Police have assured us that it is safe to continue with our regular school routines,” the district said. “We commend our students and staff for taking swift action and being an advocate for safety today.”