Girl's Alleged Weapon in Threat Charge: Her Fingers

Kansas middle schooler accused of pointing 'finger gun' at classmates is hit with felony charge
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 11, 2019 10:51 AM CDT
Cops: Middle Schooler Charged for Felony 'Finger Gun' Threat
Stock photo.   (Getty Images/35mmf2)

A Kansas middle schooler has been arrested and charged with felony threatening after she reportedly made a finger-gun gesture at four other kids. The Kansas City Star reports the Sept. 18 incident took place at Westridge Middle School in Overland Park, with a source telling the paper the girl, age 12 or 13, was asked by another student whom she'd kill if she could; that's when she allegedly pointed her pretend firearm at classmates, then at herself. An Overland Park cop took her out of school in handcuffs and brought her to a juvenile center, where she was charged, a police rep said in a statement to the Washington Post. "Threats in schools are taken very seriously and treated appropriately," the rep says. The paper notes last week, two teens allegedly brought guns into a different middle school in the district; a first-time offense of possessing a firearm is a misdemeanor.

The girl's grandfather in California, where she's now living, tells the Star his granddaughter was "just mouthing off" and doesn't have access to a gun, and that the incident should've been handled internally. Still, a Shawnee Mission School District spokesman says a finger gun could flout the district's ban on bullying or intimidation, if an "individual definitely feels threatened." The paper notes other finger-gun incidents in the US have resulted in discipline for students in schools with zero-tolerance policies for bullying and threats. The Overland Park girl's grandfather, who worries a felony on her record could hurt her chances at college or the military, says he was told she may be facing up to a year in a juvenile facility if convicted. Johnson County DA Steve Howe tells WDAF that's not likely, as the girl will likely qualify for a more lenient disciplinary measure. (More Kansas stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X