(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha teenager is facing adult criminal charges after allegedly bringing a knife into Indian Trail High School and Academy while he was still 17 years old, prompting a police response and raising safety concerns among school staff and students.
Kamryn Gant, who turned 18 on June 15, is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon on school premises, a Class A misdemeanor under Wisconsin law. If convicted, he faces up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
The incident occurred on the morning of February 11, when a school security officer informed School Resource Officer Pittman that a student had displayed a knife to multiple other students inside the building. The student, later identified as Gant, was located in the hallway and escorted to the officer’s office for questioning.
Gant denied having a weapon on him. He was searched, and a handheld metal detector scan turned up nothing. Gant also told Officer Pittman that he did not have a backpack or locker at school that day. However, surveillance footage later showed Gant entering the school building earlier that morning with a multi-colored backpack.
Officer Pittman tracked the backpack to Gant’s classroom and located it in the room. Inside the front pocket of the bag, he discovered a black folding knife with an estimated three-inch blade. The classroom teacher confirmed the bag belonged to Gant and stated that the student had displayed the knife and made concerning statements to two other students. Those students, according to the complaint, did not initially report the incident because they were scared.
The incident took place at Indian Trail High School and Academy, located at 6800 60th Street, during regular school hours.
Though Gant was 17 at the time of the offense, Wisconsin is one of only a few states where 17-year-olds are automatically prosecuted in adult court for criminal offenses. There was no juvenile referral or waiver hearing in this case. Prosecutors filed the adult charge on June 24, after Gant had reached the age of majority.
He is scheduled to make his initial appearance in adult court on July 23 at 1:00 p.m. before Court Commissioner William Michel II.
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3 Responses
Man, there are so many terrible scenarios going on at ITA! From the despicable behavior of certain teachers to the horrible action of students that attend there! It used to be a great high school, not anymore.
That’s what happens when you give incentives to keep the father’s out of the home. Defund welfare is a great start.
Umm Ig you know the kid his father is around how bout you stfu and mind your Karen.