Parke Heritage 6th grader under investigation following alleged firearm threat

Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 11:32 AM

By Joshua Nally

After a thorough search, no threat was identified. Student set to be expelled for at least one year.

A comment by a student at Parke Heritage Middle School prompted an investigation about a possible gun.

On Thursday morning, the Parke County Sheriff's Office reports that a Parke Heritage Middle School 6th grader allegedly made a comment about having a firearm in his backpack while riding the bus to school. The incident was reported to school authorities by the school's resource officer just after 9 a.m.

In response, school officials promptly searched the student's locker and personal belongings at the school but found no firearm or related materials. However, the student was on a field trip at Raccoon Lake at the time of the search.

Parke County Sheriff's Ddeputies arrived at Raccoon Lake by 9:17 a.m. and made contact with the student, who had been separated from other students by school staff. Deputies conducted a thorough search of the student's belongings, and the bus used for transportation, but no firearm or related materials were discovered.

By 9:45 a.m., deputies had reached the student’s home to speak with his family and conduct a search of the residence. No firearms were found. The family denied having any in their possession.

In light of the situation, the school has initiated the process to expel the student for one year, citing safety concerns. The Parke County Sheriff's Office has also confirmed that a criminal investigation into the incident is ongoing.