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SUNNY Temp: 73 °F Wind: N at 3 mph Wednesday, May 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 10, 2003 Students show off gun, face expulsion By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Two Griffin Creek Elementary School students who showed off a loaded handgun at school face expulsion hearings next week. State law requires that the two 11-year-old sixth-graders can’t return to Griffin Creek even though the gun wasn’t fired, said Principal Ginny Hicks. Both boys are currently suspended. "There are very strong ramifications for bringing guns to school," added Medford police lieutenant and school board Chairman Mike Moran. "The fact that there was a loaded weapon in the hand of an inexperienced child is very frightening." The boys have not been charged with a crime and are in the custody of their parents and legal guardians. According to Hicks, neither boy has a history of problems. The boy who brought the gun on Monday had been to the office once in the last year for a minor infraction. "This is a case of poor judgment. They weren’t typical acting-out kids," Hicks added. The firearm involved — a .22 semiautomatic handgun — allegedly belonged to the parents of one of the sixth-graders. The gun’s magazine was loaded but no rounds were in the firing chamber. The boy who brought the gun from home reportedly broke the hinges on a locked, wooden box where the firearm was stored, Hicks said. The boy put the gun inside a cardboard box in his backpack and went to school. Around 10 a.m., the boy showed the gun to a fellow student who took the gun, still in its box, and slipped it into his pants pocket. Hicks said after the gun exchanged hands, the classmate showed the weapon to two students. Hicks said one of those students became alarmed, wrote a note and gave it to a teacher. Hicks said she immediately called the sheriff’s department. She and a guidance counselor approached the boy, who peacefully handed over the gun, she said. Hicks said she called the sheriff’s department again 15 minutes later. A deputy arrived about an hour after Hicks’ first call. "It was a non-threatening call, to my understanding," said sheriff’s Capt. Joe Puckett about the delay. He added that the case has been turned over to the county’s juvenile department. The length of the expulsion will be determined by school administrators. Hicks said the boys will be provided with a home tutor. Teachers on Thursday talked with students, answered questions and reviewed safety procedures. Because of the investigation and a shortened school day on Wednesday, parents weren’t informed of the incident until Thursday, Hicks said. The district has no clear procedure for informing parents in such situations, but school officials say they will look into creating one. About 75 people filled the school library Thursday night to discuss the incident. "I was upset because I didn’t get a call," said Jacqueline Mitchell, mother of a fifth-grader who learned of the incident through playground gossip. "But I didn’t understand the process. Now I think you did a great job." The roomful of tense parents applauded administrators, but also offered criticism and suggestions. One tearful mother complained that her daughter, who sat next to one of the boys who had the gun, was traumatized, unable to sleep and afraid to go to school. Without information, the mother said she couldn’t protect her child and had even dismissed her fears. Parents suggested administrators send at least a brief note informing parents of a serious incident, even if some details aren’t initially available. One father recommended using telling the press, so parents could make decisions about sending their kids to school. Other parents stressed the importance of listening to and talking with kids and getting involved with schools. Deputy Director Carl Erickson said Jackson County Juvenile Services will evaluate the two boys and the circumstances leading up to the incident. "These are not common occurrences, thank heavens. ... This is not something we normally see," Erickson said, adding that JCJS handles 3,100 cases ranging from minor in possession of tobacco to Measure 11 felonies. "This falls somewhere in between that stuff." Erickson said criminal charges could still be filed. It’s a crime for juveniles to possess firearms outside the presence of their parents. Bringing them into a public building is also a crime. Moran said it’s been more than four years since a firearm was discovered at a Medford school. Hicks urges parents to discuss the incident with their children. "I hope parents will have a dialog with their children, talk about feelings, take a strong stance against violence," Hicks added. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Reporter Anita Burke contributed to this report Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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