BRECKENRIDGE HILLS, Mo. — A Ritenour High School student was arrested after a gun was found in the student's backpack Tuesday morning before school. That student was involved in a fight the day before, according to a letter sent to Ritenour High School families on Tuesday.
The letter said the student was not allowed back at school and administrators and school resource officers were looking for the student. The student was met at the front door of the building and their backpack was searched. The district said a gun, a clip and bullets were found inside the backpack and the student did not interact with any other students or staff.
The St. Ann Police Department arrested the student and the student will not be allowed on campus during the investigation. The student will be disciplined by the school, the district said.
“I just think they need to be more proactive,” said Jamie Toenges.
Toenges’ son is a sophomore at Ritenour High.
“Listen to these kids when they tell you there’s a problem and do what it takes to protect these kids,” Toenges said.
This incident comes just one day after a fight broke out at Ritenour High School during lunch putting the school on lockdown for about 10 minutes. Several students were arrested after that fight on Monday. The district also sent out an email to parents Monday afternoon about that incident.
"We know that today’s incident that occurred on the heels of yesterday’s fighting is very unsettling," Dr. Jana Haywood, Ritenour High School principal, said in a letter to Ritenour High School families. "Violence and threats have no place in our school or community, and it will not be tolerated in any form on our campus."
“I’m glad the school district is taking more precautions,” said a concerned father.
The dad has a message for kids causing problems at his child’s school.
“You need to focus on going to school. What you need to be going to school for and everything else just leave it at the door,” said the dad.