Editor’s note: 41 Action News normally does not report on suicides. We made an exception in this case due to the large number of people affected. We have chosen not to identify the student out of respect for her family.
LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — A Lee’s Summit North High School senior ended her own life at the school Friday morning, police said.
On Friday at 7:50 a.m., Lee’s Summit police and medical crews were called to the school on the report of a student who had attempted to harm herself.
When emergency crews arrived, they were told the 17-year-old was on the second floor and that other students had heard a single gunshot.
The student was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, but she died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Lee’s Summit police said within minutes of the incident district staff locked down the school.
School staff dismissed the students early, and all students were transported from the campus by 9:20 a.m.
Lee’s Summit police said the investigation is ongoing.
According to police, the district has called in professional counselors at the school and throughout the district for students.
The school issued a statement which read, in part:
We want to provide an update regarding the tragic situation that happened at Lee’s Summit North at approximately 7:50 a.m. Due to this matter, Lee’s Summit North immediately initiated lockdown procedures that kept all students and staff safe and contacted Lee’s Summit Police and Fire Department, working closely with our School Resource Officer and school nurse. Out of respect to the family and student privacy, we are not able to share more specific information about the incident or the police investigation. I want to commend our staff for their quick actions and our students for their compassion and sensitivity.
The school said in a later update that it would be cancelling after school and evening activities, except for a tennis event that had already begun.
Tonight's football game is being delayed until 2 p.m. Saturday.
The school said it made the decision to cancel activities with "our students best interests in mind."
Resources:
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call them at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
- Coping with suicide loss from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Missouri Department of Mental Health Suicide Prevention information
- Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- Additional resources from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
