Loaded handgun found inside student’s vehicle at Waverly High School, deputy says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Waverly High School student was cited Tuesday after a gun was found in his vehicle, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office says.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said school administrators searched the 17-year-old boy’s vehicle and discovered a loaded handgun.

“It’s a big deal as you can imagine,” he said. “Especially in this day and age of things, having a gun at school is a big, big, big no-no.”

The search stemmed from a disturbance involving water guns in the school’s parking lot, according to Houchin.

One student reported being harassed by the water guns and reported it to administrators.

While they were searching for the water gun, administrators found the handgun.  About 60 rounds of ammunition were also found in the vehicle.

The student had been hunting the night before, but his parents didn’t know he had the gun, Houchin said.

“It does belong to his dad, but they did not give it to him,” he said. “They did not know that it happened.”

The teen is being ticketed on suspicion of felony possession of a firearm on school grounds, being a minor in possession of a handgun, criminal mischief and disturbing the peace.

He was released to his parents.

“I’m just happy it was found,” Houchin said. “It is a big deal. The parents are taking it very seriously.”