INDIANAPOLIS — A gun was found on campus at Decatur Central High School Tuesday afternoon, prompting a "soft lockdown" and students to be detained, the school district said.
A parent told school officials that a student potentially had a weapon on Dec. 13, according to the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township. As a precaution, the school was put into a "soft lockdown," which means no movement within the building without administrative approval.
Classes continued, with students learning as usual, while school police and IMPD investigated.
According to court documents, police were told a 15-year-old student had a gun in his backpack. That student then allegedly told one of the school's vice principals that a 16-year-old student had his backpack.
Court documents say the vice principal and two officers then spoke with the 16-year-old student and searched the backpack, where they found a black Glock 45 handgun with a magazine loaded with three 40 caliber bullets and three 9mm bullets.
One of the two students involved also had nearly $5,000 in cash in his coat, according to court documents.
Video footage confirmed the two students went into a restroom at 11:22 a.m. and came out 1 minute later after having swapped backpacks.
Both students were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center and are facing charges of possession of a firearm on school property and dangerous possession of a firearm.
"We take this situation extremely seriously and will issue the appropriate disciplinary action, per school district policy," said Emily LeMay with the school district.
Parents were notified about the lockdown and investigation and were later given an update when the lockdown was lifted.
LeMay told parents that while the incident is concerning, district officials don't believe there's an active threat to the school.
"We understand these reports add additional anxiety to parents, students, school district staff, and our community," LeMay said.
She also encouraged parents and guardians to speak with their kids about the "importance of making good decisions and knowing what is and is not appropriate to bring to school."
The district warns any student who brings a weapon or prohibited item of any kind to school will face disciplinary action.