photo by: Lawrence Police Department

A pellet gun recovered in a bush by Lawrence police at Veteran's Park after a student was reported to have brought a firearm to Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St., on Nov. 6, 2023.

Updated at 11:49 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6

Lawrence High School lifted a lockdown Monday morning after about 30 minutes. The lockdown was imposed after a 14-year-old student reportedly brought a firearm to the school. Police said they eventually found a pellet gun at a park nearby.

The lockdown at the school, 1901 Louisiana St., started around 10 a.m. and was lifted around 10:30 a.m. Social media posts from Lawrence police said the school resource officer was notified and immediately began searching for the student while the school was locked down.

The SRO and school security officer located the suspect student re-entering the school as it was locked down, but he was not in possession of a firearm, and denied having brought one to school, police said. Because numerous students had reported seeing a firearm, officers believed the student disposed of the firearm prior to being contacted. They retraced the student’s movements to locate the gun.

They determined the weapon was likely in nearby Veteran’s Park on 19th Street.

“Realizing the item would soon be found, the student then informed officers he had ditched a pellet gun in the park and told them where to find it,” police said. “The pellet gun, which closely resembled a pistol, was recovered in a bush in the park.” The lockdown at the school was lifted after the gun was found.

The student, who police said did not provide a specific reason for bringing a pellet gun to school, was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center for processing. Police shared a photo on social media of the pellet gun they found.

“We are thankful to the students who reported this incident to school staff, as well as our relationship with USD 497 that allows situations like this to be addressed immediately by the Resource Officers in the school,” police said.

photo by: Matt Resnick/Journal-World

A Lawrence police car sits in front of Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St., Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, after a report of a student bringing a firearm to school.

Lawrence school district spokeswoman Julie Boyle said in an email that the administration would continue to work with police on the investigation and “follow up with this student and their family.”

Boyle said all students were safe and that Student Services support was available at the school for students and staff who wanted to speak with a counselor.

Boyle asked that families discuss with their students “that weapons of any kind are prohibited at school and review with them the consequences outlined in the Student Handbook for violations of this policy.” She also encouraged students to “continue to report any safety concerns.”

An email sent to parents by USD 497 spokesperson, Julie Boyle, after a firearm was reported on campus at Lawrence High School on Nov. 6, 2023.