Gun found in student’s locker at Blanchester High School, police say

CLINTON County, Ohio (WXIX) - Blanchester police say they are investigating after a gun was found in a student’s locker at Blanchester High School Thursday morning.

All students are safe and no one was hurt, police said in a news release.

School administrators called police to the school about 10 a.m. after a student indicated there was a gun in a book back in a student’s locker.

Blanchester Superintendent Randy Dunlap tells FOX19 NOW the school was put on a brief lockdown as a precaution, but it has been lifted.

Police Chief Scott Reinbolt said school officials told officers they found a semi-automatic pistol in a 16-year-old “special needs” student’s locker.

Several rounds of ammunition were in the gun, but none were “chambered,” which means the gun was not prepared to be immediately fired, the chief said.

The firearm was seized and an investigation is underway.

“Once law enforcement showed up, they took over the investigation and took possession of the weapon,” Dunlap said.

Dunlap said that the gun not being on the student was fortunate because the whole situation was handled much differently than if the gun had been on the student.

The student was removed from the school grounds by police but was not taken into custody.

The student will face school disciplinary action, Dunlap said.

Once the investigation is completed, the case will be presented to Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew McCoy.

Blanchester schools are also dealing with a situation that many schools are facing - a TikTok video reportedly encouraging students to make violent threats against schools.

Dunlap said there will be an added police presence on Friday.

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