A Deer Park High School student, Ayden Castaneda, was arrested for bringing a handgun to school. Court documents say the 17-year-old got the gun from a 20-year-old man, Jesus Emilio Rodriguez, in Pasadena, just days before the incident at Deer Park High School - South Campus, as reported by Click2Houston.
Last Wednesday, an anonymous tip led to the arrest of Castaneda after a 9mm handgun was found in his backpack by a school resource officer. Investigations revealed a $399.91 payment from Castaneda’s Zelle account to Rodriguez, linking him to an illegal gun sale to a minor. The teen had used his father's phone to arrange the purchase with Rodriguez through a mutual friend. Text messages between the two confirmed the transaction. Rodriguez is wanted and has been charged in connection with the illegal transfer of a firearm to a minor, as per Click2Houston.
Castaneda was arrested after sending a photo of a gun to another student, which was "perceived it as threatening," according to court documents. Lt. Chris Brown from Deer Park Police said it's usually hard to trace illegal weapons, but "Usually we run into dead ends, but in this case, we were able to find physical evidence." The investigation is ongoing, and Brown added, "We will continue the investigation and see if charges on other people are warranted." Authorities are also searching for Rodriguez, who is believed to drive a white Chrysler 300, in a statement obtained by ABC13.
