A Van Buren student and his parents were arrested after the student brought a stolen gun to school, according to Van Buren police.
The student brought a stolen handgun to Central Elementary School in Van Buren on Monday, according to a news release from detective Jonathan Wear of the Van Buren Police Department. The student showed the gun to students during the school day. No one alerted school officials or police, but one student told a parent that evening, according to Wear. The parent then reported the incident to the school, and school resource officers were able to confirm the student did bring the gun to the school.
After further investigation, it was found that both parents of the student were aware that he had a gun and had taken it to school, Wear says in the release. The parents told police a story to cover up the offense but later changed their story and led investigators to the gun, which had been hidden in their backyard, the release states.
The juvenile was arrested on counts of possession of a handgun on school property and theft by receiving. The parents were both held on counts of theft by receiving and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies, according to Wear.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft of the handgun.
School resource officers with the Van Buren Police Department are working closely with Van Buren School District officials to educate students on the importance of immediately reporting incidents like this, Wear says.