Children Attending Summer Camp Find Loaded Shotgun At Santa Rosa Elementary School
SANTA ROSA (KCBS) – Santa Rosa police are investigating what they are calling a "disturbing incident" on an elementary school campus this week.
Police said three young boys, who are attending summer camp at Lincoln Elementary School in Santa Rosa, found a loaded, sawed-off shotgun at the edge of a building on school grounds.
The three boys found the gun after camp had ended for the day on Tuesday. They notified a camp counselor Wednesday, who contacted police.
Santa Rosa police Sgt. Eric Goldschlag said this was not an isolated incident.
"Lincoln School is located there on West Ninth Street. We do have some gang issues in the surrounding neighborhood," Goldschlag said. "We have had previous incidents of gang members hiding guns in the landscaping around the area."
And why would gang members leave weapons near buildings or in public areas? "It allows them not to be caught with any weapons on them when they come in contact with police," said Goldschlag. "It also gives them easy access to weapons when they are committing violent crimes."
Police are still investigating whether any fingerprints or DNA evidence was left on the guns or ammunition, which may lead to a suspect. They are also looking into the gun's serial number to see if they can track the owner down.
The boys who found the weapon were not injured.