Gun found near Kellogg High School connected to Montana pawn shop theft

KELLOGG –– Additional information has been released concerning the discarded firearm recently discovered near Kellogg High School. 

The gun was found Monday afternoon by a KHS teacher, who discovered it inside a box while her class was picking up trash along Jackass Creek. The teacher immediately turned the firearm over to the school resource officer, police said.

Capt. Seth Green with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that following an investigation by the SRO, it was discovered that the recovered handgun was part of a theft that occurred at a Missoula pawn shop May 16. 

According to surveillance footage, an unidentified man entered the pawn shop after 11 a.m. and asked to be shown a handgun. The footage then showed that as soon as he was handed the firearm, he fled from the shop with the gun in his possession. 

According to information that was provided to Capt. Green, the suspect then got into a light-colored 2017 Lexus Hybrid SUV and drove off. 

The discovery of the gun in Kellogg gives Missoula Police additional information that may aid in their investigation. “It’s very unusual for a stolen gun to be found this quickly,” Green said. 

At this time, it is unknown who discarded the firearm into the creek or if the suspect or vehicle are still in the region, but Green asked that people be on the lookout for the gold Lexus SUV with California license plates.   

“We thoroughly searched the area surrounding the creek where the gun was found,” Green said. “There still is no credible threat to Kellogg High School, but we will continue to keep a close eye on the school.” 

Anyone with information should call the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office at 208-556-1114. 

   Surveillance footage shows the light-colored Lexus SUV that the suspect reportedly drove after he allegedly stole a handgun from a Missoula pawn shop on May 16.