Teens arrested after exchanging gun on school property

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an exchange of a firearm on the premises of a local school district.

Deputies were called to a home on the 1600 block of Markley Street NW in Plain Township at 3:02 P.M. Friday.

After further investigation, deputies discovered that 18 year-old Michael Knowles reportedly obtained a firearm from a 17 year-old high school student at GlenOak High School the day before.

Knowles was arrested without incident and charged with a felony count of Conveyance of a weapon into a school.

In a statement sent to JMN, Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier said “Regardless of what the intentions may have been, taking a firearm on school grounds is unacceptable. I commend those who reported the incident to law enforcement. While it may not have been an easy decision, it was the right one. School safety and security is a community effort and we all have a responsibility and a role to play.”

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Stark County Sheriff’s Office at 330-430-3800 or the Anonymous Crime Tip Line at 330-451-3937.