Sheriff: gun unintentionally brought onto Blair Oaks campus

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

No charges will be filed after a gun was found at Blair Oaks Schools on Monday.

Cole County Sheriff's Office said in a release that deputies were contacted around 9:30 a.m. on Monday for a possible weapon offense on school property.

Deputies found a student had left an unloaded, small-caliber firearm in a locked car after hunting the day before, according to the release. The gun was covered by clothing in the back seat of the car, not visible.

"There was no brandishing of the firearm, and no threats were made," the release states. "The firearm was inadvertently left in the vehicle and was not intentionally brought onto school property for any improper use."

The Sheriff's Office said the incident was documented, but after reviewing the case, the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney's Office "was not interested in pursuing criminal charges."

A letter was shared with Blair Oaks parents Monday from Superintendent Ben Meldrum.

“Blair Oaks families: This morning, District administration was notified that a firearm was located in a student’s vehicle on campus. A search was conducted immediately and a firearm was located,” the statement to parents reads. “We appreciate the individual who made the report so quickly and law enforcement’s prompt response. Though this incident did not involve any threat of violence to students or staff, the Safe Schools Act requires specific action on the part of the District, and we are moving forward with next steps. We cannot share additional information regarding this incident due to student privacy laws.”