KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A quick-thinking tip from a student helped Belton police stop an 18-year-old from entering Scott Educational Center with a loaded handgun Tuesday afternoon, preventing what police say could have been a tragic situation.
On Oct. 28, a Belton Police Department school resource officer received information about a student possibly bringing a gun to night classes at Scott Educational Center, according to court documents.
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Around 4 p.m., officers confronted the student before he entered the building and arrested him.
Investigators said the student, identified as Cameron Kopfer, had a loaded handgun in his backpack. Police said the weapon had a magazine in the gun with nine bullets.
The Cass County Prosecutor’s Office charged Kopfer with unlawful use of a weapon. His bond is set at $10,000 cash only. As of Thursday morning, Kopfer remains in the Cass County Jail.
According to court documents, a student told administrators that Kopfer showed him a handgun in his backpack the day before and said he frequently brings the gun to school.
The witness also said Kopfer never made threats to hurt anyone at the school, but had talked about robbing people for drugs and money.
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In a joint statement on Facebook, the Belton Police Department and Belton School District said the safety of students and staff remains their top priority and credited the tipster’s courage for helping “keep a firearm out of a public school.”
Authorities are reiterating the phrase, “If you see something, say something.”
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