Student pulls out BB Gun on bus ride home from Walt Disney Elementary Thursday

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- On Friday, a Walt Disney Elementary School student had a BB gun on the bus ride home from school, leading many to believe the student had the gun the entire day at school, but only pulled it out to show other students on the ride home. 

"Earlier today PHM schools requested that County Police SROs investigate what was believed to be a handgun found on a PHM elementary school bus. Upon investigation officers determined the gun to be a very realistic looking BB pellet gun," St. Joseph County Police said.

Sheriff Bill Redman urged parents to use an abundance of caution when it comes to realistic looking toy or pellet guns.

"In the wake of the numerous school threats made earlier this week the last thing that teachers, school administrators and police need is a student coming to school with a very real looking pistol," Redman said. “I implore all parents in our community to take stock of any such realistic items in your home or your kids' possession and ensure they stay at home. We also urge all gun owners to practice responsible gun ownership and lock up the firearms, so they are not easily accessible to children.”

The following was a statement made by the school in response to the incident:

Dear Walt Disney Families,

This letter is to inform you that a student on Bus #115 had a BB gun and showed other students during the afternoon ride home today, Thursday, September 19, 2024. The bus driver was notified by other bus riders after the student exited the bus. P-H-M Transportation Administration, P-H-M's SRO, and Walt Disney's Administration were alerted and began investigating immediately.

St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department went to the student's home and confiscated the "look-alike" toy weapon.

The safety of your child is a top priority for Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. We take these matters very seriously, responding immediately with the appropriate action.

"Look-alike" and toy weapons are a violation of the P-H-M Student Code of Conduct outlined in the Student Handbook. Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about school safety and remind them not to bring look-alike toy weapons or real weapons of any kind to school or on buses.

If you have weapons or firearms of any kind in your home, please keep them locked in a secure location. We encourage you to check backpacks and pockets before your student leaves for school. Remind your children to report any unsafe behavior or situation to an adult... see something, say something!

Please take the opportunity to talk with your child about school safety and remind them not to bring weapons of any kind to school. We encourage you to check backpacks and pockets before your student leaves for school. Please remind your children to report any unsafe behavior or situation to an adult.

P-H-M utilizes the Safe School Helpline® as a confidential way to report student concerns about look-alike or real weapons, bullying or anything else that threatens the safety of our schools. It is Available 24/7/365 via the app, phone, text or online:

• Download the Safe School Helpline app
• Call: 1-800-418-6423 ext. 359
• Text: TIPS to 614-426-0240
• Visit SafeSchoolHelpline.com

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 574-259-2486 or [email protected].

Respectfully yours,
Dr. Mindy Higginson
Principal of Walt Disney Elementary School

We will update this story as more information becomes available.