Updated March 16, 12:09 p.m.–
Citrus Heights police said a 16-year-old student was arrested at San Juan High School on Wednesday after officers found a loaded handgun and marijuana in his backpack.
In a news release issued Thursday morning, police said an anonymous tip about the student possibly being in possession of a weapon led school resource officers to locate the student and search his backpack, yielding a handgun and “suspected marijuana packaged for sale.” Police said the student is a Citrus Heights resident but did not release his name or picture due to his age.
The student was taken to Sacramento County Juvenile Hall and is charged with possession of a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana for sale, and another firearms charge due to the handgun being taken onto school grounds, officials said.
An alert from the school sent out to parents Wednesday said the tip was received by a student from another high school who reported seeing a “threatening social media post” and alerted school officials. According to the alert, the student arrested was from San Juan Academy, which offers alternative education options and holds classes on the San Juan High School campus.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, but believe the event is “an isolated incident” with no further risk to public safety.
“Our investigation hasn’t revealed any specific targets or threats that the student planned to use the weapon for a school shooting,” Lt. Michael Wells told The Sentinel Thursday afternoon. “It just appears that he elected to possess the weapon at school.”
The department said police “want to remind all students and parents that all weapons are prohibited on school campuses and encourage people with information on suspicious activity to contact local law enforcement immediately.”
See Fox 40 news video about the incident: Student Arrested After Bringing Loaded Gun to Citrus Heights School
