Father of Suspected Joplin School Shooter Enters Guilty Plea

The father of the student involved in a shooting at Joplin Middle School has pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing several firearms and ammunition. Gregory White, 44, of Joplin, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. White is the father of the Joplin Middle School student who was taken into custody after allegedly firing a shot into the school’s ceiling and allegedly attempting to shoot school officials with a semi-automatic assault rifle on October 9th. Under federal law it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. White has a 1988 criminal felony conviction for possession of methamphetamine in California and a 1980 criminal felony conviction for attempted burglary in Florida. A sentencing hearing will be held later. Under federal statues, White could receive a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000.