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Flathead Student Who Allegedly Brought Gun to School Held on $35,000 Bond

16-year-old could face up to five misdemeanors after allegedly bringing gun to school

By Justin Franz

The 16-year-old Flathead High School student who allegedly brought a loaded revolver to school last week could face five misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident.

The male student, whose name has not been released, remains incarcerated at the juvenile detention center in Missoula on $35,000 bond.

A second student, a 14-year-old male, was also arrested on Jan. 29 for drug possession.

According to Flathead High School Resource Officer Cory Clarke, a school employee noticed that the 16-year-old was skipping class and confronted him. During the conversation, the employee noticed the student smelled of alcohol and he was taken to an administrator’s office. The student told school officials that he had been drinking and that there was a bottle of wine in his bag. When officials searched the bag, they also found the loaded gun with five bullets.

During an interview with police, the student said he planned on selling the gun, but Clarke said other interviews suggested that the student was about to runaway from home and wanted the weapon as protection. He allegedly stole the gun from a family member.

Clarke said that he does not believe the student planned on harming anyone with the weapon.

The 16-year-old could face up to five misdemeanor charges, including possession of a weapon in a school building, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, minor in possession and carrying a concealed weapon. The case has been handed over to the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

During an initial interview, the 16-year-old told authorities that he had been drinking with a 14-year-old student. The 14-year-old male was also questioned and during that interview drugs were found in his bag. He was also arrested but has since been released to the custody of his parents. It’s unclear what that student will be charged with.

The school district sent out emails and recorded phone messages to FHS parents and staff on Jan. 29 informing them of the situation.

“Due diligence today enabled this incident to be handled promptly with appropriate actions by FHS staff,” the message read. “This serves as a good reminder to all of us to talk to our students, know where they are at all times and report any suspicious activity.”