Officers recently responded to a report from a male stating that his son was unaccounted for and had likely taken his missing AK-47 Assault Rifle. The male reported that neither the gun nor ammunition were properly secured. 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.
Social media posts led to locating the son. Before locating the son, law enforcement discovered a social media video of the son firing the weapon, in an apparent attempt to scare two other individuals. Officers have since recovered the AK-47 and its associated ammunition. This case remains active and this information is preliminary.
We are grateful for our officers who worked so diligently to resolve this matter. We wish to remind the public of the following steps that can be taken to encourage safety in our community:
•“See something, say something” – allow law enforcement to resolve potential issues by being an active witness. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your identity, anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 308-762-4955. We thank the gun owner for immediately reporting the situation which allowed the rifle to be secured.
•Be vigilant – Be aware of potentially dangerous situations and do what you can to protect yourself and others. The Alliance Police Department offers free Active Shooter training. Email comments@bbcpublicsafety.us for details.
•Know the signs – If you know of someone who is struggling, overly-stressed, acting abnormally, dealing with bullying, or dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues, do what you can to get them help. The Alliance Police Department can help put you in contact with additional resources. The APD can also perform wellness checks on individuals.
•Responsible firearm ownership – Utilize safes and gun locks. Secure ammunition. Teach proper handling of firearms. Immediately report thefts of missing firearms or ammunition.
(By APD Chief Philip Lukens)