A 15-year-old student was taken into custody at Southfield A&T High School after being found with a loaded handgun on school premises. According to a FOX 2 Detroit report, the arrest occurred on Monday following a tip from a student who alerted school resource officers. After locating the student in the school bathroom at around 10 a.m., officers recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun from the teenager's waistband, the struggle with the student being brief before the gun was seized.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren, delivering remarks at a press conference, confirmed “The gun was loaded. Fully Loaded. And there was a round in the chamber,” as quoted in a ClickOnDetroit article. Barren indicated that despite the teen having no apparent plans to use the gun violently at the school, “Carrying a gun on school property is unforgivable. I’m going to say it again: unforgivable.”
The gun, originally from a home in Detroit, is believed to have been stolen by the student during a visit to friends, as communicated by Barren in a statement obtained by Audacy. He asserted that the teenager carried the weapon allegedly for personal protection against issues with other teens outside of school. The owner of the stolen firearm may also be facing charges as part of the investigation's continuation.
The student, who was not named due to his minor status, has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting and obstructing, and possession of a weapon in a weapons-free school zone, with more information about this case being pursued by local authorities. Any individuals with additional insights are urged to contact the Southfield PD at 248-796-5500, referencing complaint number 24-33976, as per the information shared by the ClickOnDetroit report. He is currently being held at Oakland County Children's Village without bond.
In response to the incident, the school praised the quick response of students and staff in reporting the incident. Southfield PD, praising the swift actions of both the officers and the school community, reminded the public, "There are reasons we're encouraging children in schools, if you see something, say something," as indicated by Chief Barren in FOX 2 Detroit coverage.
