Weapon Found in Backpack at Excelsior Springs High School, No Threat to Students

Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2025) – School officials have confirmed that a firearm was found in a backpack left behind at Excelsior Springs High School following a wrestling tournament held Saturday.

According to the district, the backpack had been brought onto campus by an adult spectator from a visiting school district and was inadvertently left behind. An Excelsior Springs staff member discovered the backpack Sunday morning and immediately notified the school’s resource officer.

The school resource officer conducted a sweep of the facility to ensure the building was secure and safe for scheduled activities. The officer identified the owner of the firearm and began taking appropriate action in accordance with district policy regarding weapons on school property.

District officials said the situation was resolved without incident and emphasized that there was no threat to students or staff. Officials credited staff and law enforcement for their prompt response and reiterated the importance of reporting suspicious activity to help maintain school safety.