Breaking News: Shot fired At Memorial Middle School October 09, 2006 08:43 am
9:18 a.m. Student Begged, ‘Not To Make Me Do This’
A Memorial Middle School student, armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, pointed the gun this morning at two school administrators and begged them, ‘not to make me do this.”
A 15-year-old student walked into the east side of Memorial Middle School about 7:45 a.m. where he was spotted by Memorial Principle Steve Gilbreath and Assistant Superintendent Steve Doerr.
School officials say the student pointed the gun at the two men, asked them “not to make me do this” and then raised the gun and fired a shot into the ceiling of the school, breaking a water pipe.
After firing the shot, he said again, “Please don’t make me do this.”
Doerr and Gilbreth persuaded the student to go outside the building where he was confronted by two police officers who had their weapons drawn. The student dropped the rifle and was taken into custody.
Joplin police Officer Curt Farmer said officers found a note in the student’s packpack indicating that he had placed an explosive device in the school.
Students in the school were moved to Memorial Hall where they are awaiting their parents.
School Superintendent Jim Simpson said the school will be closed for the day while police make a search of the building.