After receiving a report that an AK-47 was missing and that a juvenile was unaccounted for, the Alliance Police Department sprang into action, bringing the situation to an end.
According to a press release issued by the Alliance Police Department, on Aug. 11, a man reported that his son was unaccounted for and that his firearm was missing. He said the juvenile was likely to be in possession of the AK-47.
“The male reported that neither the gun nor ammunition were properly secured,” said APD Chief Philip Lukens in the release. “Once the reporting party noticed his rifle was missing he immediately called law enforcement. He reported that his son was recently released from a juvenile detention facility and he reported that other juveniles had threatened to fight his son.”
Officers used social media to locate the juvenile. During the investigation prior to finding the individual, officers saw a video posted on social media of the juvenile firing the weapon in what they described as, “an apparent attempt to scare two other individuals.” They recovered the missing firearm and all of the ammunition, and are continuing to investigate the case.
“We are grateful for our officers who worked so diligently to resolve this matter,” Lukens said.
The Alliance Police Department encourages people to take steps to ensure their safety, including reporting any issues and tips to the Alliance Police Department at 308-762-4955. They also advise people to be aware of their surroundings and to take advantage of training opportunities, such as free active shooter training offered by the APD.
People can also stay safe by knowing the signs of people who are struggling, such as acting abnormally, being overly-stressed, dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse issues. The APD can connect people with resources to get them help, as well as perform wellness checks on individuals.
The Alliance Police Department also encourages responsible firearm ownership, such as using safes and gun locks, and securing ammunition.