Smithville student suspended after mistakenly leaving hunting rifle in truck

SMITHVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- A high school senior could be kicked out of school for leaving a rifle in his pickup truck on school property.

An avid hunter, 18-year-old Steven Weeks went to the woods after classes at Smithville High School on Nov. 1. He had stopped at home to pick up his .22-caliber rifle and a box of ammunition.

After hunting, Weeks said that he left his unloaded rifle on the passenger seat of his truck. Then he inadvertently locked his keys inside, and it wasn't long before someone saw it and told police.

Weeks was arrested and spent the night in jail. Now he's serving a 10-day suspension, hoping the district does not issue full punishment that could keep him from graduating.

School officials declined to comment.

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Information from: KMBC-TV, http://www.thekansascitychannel.com