Mira Monte student caught with gun on campus
BY COURTENAY EDELHART Californian staff writer cedelhart@bakersfield.com
A student was arrested Thursday after he brought a gun to Mira Monte High School, but authorities said they're not aware of any plans the boy had to actually use the weapon.
Another student heard about the boy's intention to bring a gun to school and tipped off school police, who searched him first thing Thursday morning when his school bus arrived, according to Kern High School District director of pupil personnel Otis Jennings, who oversees discipline for the district.
The boy was found to be in possession of an unloaded semi-automatic firearm, and also had a magazine in his backpack, Jennings said.
An investigation is still pending, but thus far there are no indications the boy was targeting anyone in particular, nor is there evidence the incident was gang-related, Jennings said.
The campus never went on lockdown.
"Thanks to a responsible person who did the right thing, at no time was anyone in danger," Jennings said. "The fact that we were alerted allowed our police department to respond promptly and appropriately."
Jennings declined to disclose the boy's name, grade or age because the student is a minor. The boy was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall.
Mira Monte Principal Jaime Quinónez declined to comment, referring calls to Jennings.
Under the state education code, students who bring a weapon to school are generally expelled for at least a year, but they are entitled to due process, first.
Facebook
Twitter
Mobile
RSS
Most CommentedMost Popular
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
Sheriff’s investigators served a search warrant on Kern Medical Center and the Mary K. Shell Mental Health Center seeking medical records to find possible reasons for David Sal Silva’s behavior prior to and during his encounter with law enforcement, The Californian learned Friday.
Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
Classes were canceled at Bakersfield High School Monday after three small bottle bomb explosions struck campus, authorities said.
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.