Tooele police investigate gun brought to junior high school by student

TOOELE, Utah — Police are investigating after a 12-year-old female student reportedly brought a handgun to her junior high school on more than one occasion. The gun was recovered by officers without incident Monday. 

The situation started last Thursday when a Clarke Johnsen Junior High student saw the girl take the gun from her backpack after school. That girl told her mother what she saw. 

The junior high school was not in session the following day, so the concerned parent reported what her daughter told her on Monday. 

“It was reported first thing Monday morning to the principal,” said Tooele PD Lt. Jeremy Hansen. “The principal pulled the girl in and the girl still had it in her possession.” 

An officer was called out to the school by the principal to take the gun and talk with the student. Apparently, no one knew she had the gun.

Hansen said, “It sounds like the girl took the gun from the top of her parents’ closet without their knowledge. So, she’s had it since Thursday without the parents knowing.” 

The parents told police they were shocked and in total disbelief after finding out what happened. 

Now investigators are trying to find out why the girl took the gun in the first place and then brought it to school. 

“She wasn’t really clear. She said she felt she needed it for protection but wouldn’t elaborate any further,” said Lt. Hansen. 

Police do not believe any students at Clark Johnsen Junior High were in danger. 

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