Smith Valley student arrested after bringing handgun to school

A 14-year-old male was in custody Thursday afternoon (Feb. 5) after he brought a 9mm handgun to Smith Valley School in Kalispell on Wednesday, according to the Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan. The youth is a student at the school.

A student spoke to a teacher at the school, stating that they had seen the male with a firearm on the Smith Valley School campus. The principal contacted the sheriff’s office Wednesday near the end of the school day.

Sheriff’s deputies conducted extensive interviews with teachers, students and parents Wednesday and Thursday. Then searches of the juvenile’s mother’s residence and grandfather’s residence were conducted with their consent. The handgun was recovered during the searches.

The juvenile has been charged with possession of a weapon in a school building. The case is being reviewed by the Flathead County Attorney’s Office and further charges could be forthcoming.