East High Student Arrested Wednesday For Bringing Gun To School

Keen observation by a School Resource Officer at East High School this morning led to the arrest of an 11th grade student after he attempted to ditch a backpack outside the school with a loaded, stolen handgun inside.

Officer Mario Ferrer watched the 16-year-old as he entered the school with two backpacks. He made eye contact with the teen, who then turned around and walked back towards the parking lot. The second time the teen entered the building, he was only carrying one backpack.

Officer Ferrer returned to his office and reviewed surveillance cameras to determine where the second backpack was left. He observed the teen discard the backpack near the cafeteria loading dock.

Inside the discarded backpack, a loaded firearm was recovered. The firearm was reported stolen in March by a Texas woman who was staying at a rental property on Delaware Avenue and left her vehicle unlocked overnight.

The 16-year-old is charged today with theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm on school property and juvenile handgun possession.