LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police officers were called to help after an incident involving a student with a gun at the Academy @ Shawnee Tuesday morning.
According to police, officers were called to the school around 9 a.m. to help Jefferson County Public Schools Police with a student who tried to bring a gun into the school.
When the student entered the school, the weapons detection system was set off. In a letter to families, Academy @ Shawnee Principal Hollie Smith said when the bag was about to be searched, the 15-year-old student grabbed it and ran off.
JCPS police officers and LMPD's Drone Unit responded to 45th Street and Jewel Avenue and arrested the student.
A K-9 found the gun that the student allegedly got rid of. LMPD said JCPS Police filed charges against the teen.
You can read Smith's full letter sent to families below:
"Dear Academy @ Shawnee families,
I am writing to inform you of a brief situation that affected part of our day.
This morning, our weapons detection system prompted staff to conduct a standard follow-up screening for a student entering the building. While following established safety procedures, staff began to examine the student’s bag. During this process, an item was observed that warranted further review. The student then retrieved the bag and left the building before the screening was completed.
I want to assure you that at no time did any prohibited item breach our security and enter the school building. Our layered security measures functioned exactly as intended to keep our school community safe.
We immediately followed all district safety protocols, including notifying JCPS Police and LMPD to assist in locating the student in the community.
The student will be disciplined in alignment with the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook and may also face additional consequences as determined by law enforcement.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Hollie Smith
Principal"
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