LPD: Student found handgun outside several days before bringing it to Lincoln school

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Police Department provided an update Friday on an incident involving a non-operational gun at Belmont Elementary.

“Several days” ago, a 10-year-old boy found a gun “somewhere” outside, according to police.  LPD spokeswoman Erika Thomas said the gun wasn’t found at the student’s home.

On Thursday, the boy showed the gun — which he thought was a toy — to other students at Belmont Elementary, Lincoln Public Schools said in a press release.

Someone reported the gun to staff, and a search began.  About an hour later, another student discovered the “rusty and inoperable” gun behind a toilet.

The gun was reported to an adult, and officers responded to the school at about 1:45 p.m.

Police said the parents of all students interviewed by officers were “extremely cooperative.”

School staff and administration also worked together with officers to determine a timeline of events.

Police think no one was ever in danger and there were no active threats.

“We encourage everyone that if you ‘see something, say something,'” Thomas said.  “We advise children to not touch weapons and tell a trusted adult if they find something that makes them feel unsafe.”