An 18-year-old man was arrested Monday after he allegedly threatened a Lawrence Central High School student on social media and then came back to the campus with a gun, according to court records. Investigators say the firearm was later found under the driver's seat of a vehicle at the suspect's home, and officers took him into custody without incident. He faces preliminary charges that include intimidation with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm on school property and trespassing.
What investigators allege
According to court documents reviewed by WTHR, a school administrator was alerted after a concerned parent reported that their son had been threatened on social media. The probable-cause affidavit states that the girl's boyfriend allegedly sent a video that showed a pistol and referenced locations that included a car's front windshield and the Lawrence Central gym. Police later arrested the 18-year-old at his home, where officers found the gun tucked beneath the driver's seat of a car, according to the affidavit.
Charges and state law
Court paperwork lists preliminary counts of intimidation with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm on school property and trespassing. Under Indiana law, a communication that threatens harm can be charged as intimidation and becomes a felony if the person "draws or uses a deadly weapon," according to Justia. Separate state statutes covering firearms on school property outline limited defenses and vehicle exceptions, as detailed in Justia. State guidance also notes that students found with deadly weapons may face expulsion and that districts should notify law enforcement, according to the Indiana Department of Education.
Where it happened
Lawrence Central High School is located at 7300 East 56th Street in northeast Marion County, according to the district's website. The campus serves thousands of students in the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township.
Case status
WTHR reports that the suspect was taken into custody without incident. The affidavit states that the trespassing count stems from the defendant "knowingly and intentionally" returning to the school while he was assigned to online school. The case remains under investigation and is expected to proceed through Marion County courts in the coming weeks as prosecutors review the affidavit and other evidence.
What parents should know
State guidance and district policies stress the importance of reporting threats to school officials or law enforcement. The state's reference materials outline how schools should notify authorities and respond with discipline in cases involving deadly weapons. Families with immediate concerns are advised to contact Lawrence Central or the Lawrence Police Department for safety information and updates.
