A Batchelor Middle School student was arrested after bringing a gun onto a school bus Tuesday morning, according to a release from the Monroe County Community School Corporation.
The loaded Taurus 9mm firearm was confiscated by a school resource officer, according to a Herald-Times article. The article said the gun was in the student’s backpack and they showed the gun to other students on the bus. The student faces a preliminary charge of possession of a firearm on school property in addition to a year-long expulsion.
The student initially boarded Bus Route #141 before transferring onto Bus Route #155, which is a shuttle bus from Bloomington High School South to Batchelor Middle School. Families of students on both bus routes and families of Batchelor Middle School students were notified of the incident by Batchelor Middle School Principal Eric Gilpin.
The situation was originally reported by a student on the bus, later being reported to the police.
“I want to thank the tip provider who saw something and said something, as well as the school resource officers, school administration and police officers who worked quickly to implement and accurately follow safety protocols,” Director of School Safety Chris Finley said in a Tuesday release from MCCSC.
The school remained open on Tuesday, with additional security measures, the district said. The situation is still being investigated.
Students and community members can submit reports of any safety concerns to a tip line found on the district’s homepage or by calling the Safe School Hotline at 812-330-249.
