A Batchelor Middle School student was taken into custody by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday after bringing a loaded gun to school, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The student, who is 13-years-old, removed a Taurus 9mm handgun and showed it to other students on his school bus Tuesday morning, according to the MCSO.
“School administration and school resource officers immediately enacted safety procedures and quickly detained the student who was en route to school. The student was found to be in possession of a firearm. The student was detained before the student entered the school building,” according to the MCCSC.
“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,” said Director of School Safety, Dr. Chris Finley.
The student is facing a one year expulsion from school along with penalties for breaking the law.
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Monroe County Sheriff Brad Swain sent the following to the Bloomingtonian after an information request Tuesday:
“On this date the MCSO was dispatched to 900 W. Gordon Pike in reference to a student bringing a loaded firearm to school, the gun was confiscated prior to our arrival by SRO’s on scene. Deputies responded to the school and took possession of a loaded Taurus 9mm fire arm. Deputy’s learned that a 13 year old male juvenile was on a school bus this morning and removed the firearm from his backpack and show it to other people on the bus. A parent was notified who then called the school. Once the bus arrived at the school SRO’s located the firearm in the juvenile’s backpack and called the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies completed interviews and collected the firearm. The juvenile was transported to the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center(via a court order) for the following charge:
I.C. 35-47-9-2: Possession of a firearm on school property or a school bus level 6 felony.”
The Bloomingtonian received the following information from the MCCSC after a request:
“To: Local Media Sources
From: Monroe County Community School Corporation Communications
Date: September 13, 2022
Re: MCCSC Safety Protocols Implemented in Response to Anonymous Tip
(Bloomington, IN) On the morning of September 13, 2022, Monroe County Community School
Corporation Administration received a tip that Batchelor Middle School student riding a school bus was in possession of a firearm. School administration and school resource officers immediately enacted safety procedures and quickly detained the student who was en route to school. The student was found to be in possession of a firearm. The student was detained before the student entered the school building. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department assisted. The student has been arrested and is facing a one-year expulsion in accordance with Indiana State Law.
As the incident was reviewed, school officials determined that the middle school student completed Route Bus # 141, a route from student bus stops to Bloomington High School South (BHSS), where the student then transferred to School Bus Route #155, a shuttle route from BHSS to Batchelor Middle
School.
Batchelor Middle School remains open on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 with enhanced security
precautions in place. Batchelor Middle School Principal, Eric Gilpin, sent a letter to all Batchelor Middle school families. Additionally, BHSS and Batchelor Middle School administrators called the families of students who ride Bus Route #155 and/or Bus Route #141.
Director of School Safety, Dr. Chris Finley, stated, “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.”
The incident remains under investigation, and no further details can be provided at this time.
We remind all students, families, and community members to report any and all safety concerns. Tips can be submitted via the Tip Line link on our home page (www.mccsc.edu) or by calling our Safe School Hotline. At (812) 330-2494. Any information or quotes provided within this document that are not directly attributed to another person or source should be attributed to Ms. Alexis Harmon, Director of Educational Technology and Communications for The Monroe County Community School Corporation.
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The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) serves nearly 11,000 students from
diverse populations in 23 schools in Monroe County, Indiana. MCCSC is a leader in STEM and
EARTH curricula, encompasses a Performing Arts Academy, International Baccalaureate schools,
Dual Immersion programs, multiple Career Pathways, a Career Center, as well as numerous College
Credit opportunities to prepare students towards college and career readiness. Our commitment, as we educate tomorrow’s leaders, is to Engage, Empower, and Educate all students in a world-class
learning environment empowering them to maximize their educational success in becoming productive,
responsible global citizens.
Alexis Harmon
Director of Educational Technology & Communications, MCCSC
Work: 812-330-7700 ext 50141 Mobile: 812-345-6265 email: [email protected]”
