Kearney Police Department
Kearney, Neb. - On Thursday, January 9, 2025, shortly after 2:00pm, a Kearney Police Department (KPD) School Resource Officer (SRO), who was present at Kearney High School (KHS), was contacted by KHS staff. KHS staff indicated Juvenile Probation Officers were requesting assistance with several teens in a vehicle in the east parking lot of KHS.
The KPD SRO and KHS staff responded to the location and located three teenage students in a vehicle acting suspiciously. The KPD SRO escorted the students back to the building while the vehicle was searched by KHS staff .
During the search by KHS staff, an air pistol, which looked like a realistic Glock 17 handgun, was located in a backpack and several vaping devices were also located inside the vehicle. Additional KPD Officers responded to assist with the teens and assist with scene security.
One 16-year-old male was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, a class IV felony and possession of marijuana less than 1 oz. A 15-year-old male was charged with resisting arrest, a class I misdemeanor and possession of marijuana less than 1 oz. Another 16-year-old male was charged with possession of marijuana less than 1 oz.
Juvenile Probation Officers were present and have been coordinating the services for the teens. KHS staff was also present during this situation and worked with KPD and Juvenile Probation Officers. There was no indication of any safety threat ever made to KHS students or staff related to this incident.
KPD works diligently with our community partners and takes seriously the safety of our community and schools at all times. We appreciate the partnership with KPS and the Office of Juvenile Probation as we work together to ensure a safe learning environment within our schools.