A Lakeview man was charged with inducing panic and illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon or object in a school zone related to an incident Wednesday afternoon outdoors on the grounds of Benjamin Logan Middle School.
Kyle Richardson, 18, of 8988 King Road, was arrested after deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office found that he was in possession of a BB gun.
Shortly before 2 p.m., the Logan County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a caller stating that a man was walking toward Benjamin Logan Middle School on County Road 26 with what appeared to be a handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants.
Benjamin Logan Schools officials also were informed about this report. Superintendent Dave Harmon said staff members ensured that all exterior doors to the building were locked, as the doorways always are during regular school hours, he reported to parents in an all-district call.
Deputies began to canvas the area and shortly thereafter, Richardson was located near the soccer fields and creek area on the school district’s property.
The defendant was observed placing something in the creek area before deputies approached. Deputies recovered the BB gun, a .177 caliber CO2 pistol, in the creek area, and said from a distance, the BB gun was not distinguishable from a semi-automatic handgun.
Richardson told deputies that he was waiting for a ride and that the BB gun was for “shooting squirrels.” He told deputies he attempted to hide the weapon when law enforcement arrived because he “did not want to get shot.”
He was placed under arrest and was lodged in the Logan County Jail. A report regarding the incident also has been sent to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office.
Harmon said throughout the 15-to-20 minute incident, students were safe and that the individual never entered the academic areas of the school building.