SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A routine search of the Dell Rapids High School parking lot ended with a student in jail.
School superintendent Dr. Donavan DeBoer said Thursday’s search was part of a lockdown drill which the school does about three to four times a year. The drug search dogs were part of this drill but that only happens one or two times a year, he said.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol brought in dogs to search cars for drugs.
They ended up finding a shotgun and ammunition in a vehicle.
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Investigators believe the weapon was used for hunting and the student forgot to take it out of his car.
DeBoer said district constituents were told that at no point was anyone in danger on Thursday morning. “There was no threat at all,” he said.
Still, the response shows “how seriously we have to take all incidents,” DeBoer said.
The student was taken into custody by the State Patrol. The student faces a misdemeanor charge.
DeBoer said the school district cooperates with the State Patrol and state’s attorney but it does not decide if charges are filed. That is the decision of the patrol and the state’s attorney, he said.
The school district will follow-up with school policy on discipline for the student which includes due process for that student, DeBoer said.
South Dakota law says while it’s not illegal to keep a gun in your car, it is illegal when the vehicle is parked on school property.
