An unsettling discovery at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa has heightened concerns over student safety and the unregulated proliferation of ghost guns. According to a social media post from the Santa Rosa Police Department, a 16-year-old male student was arrested after a loaded firearm was found in his school locker. Authorities were initially tipped off on Thursday by an anonymous message through the STOPit app alleging the student possessed a handgun. An investigation was launched, which included a search of the student's residence and lockers, but at the time, no firearm was found.

The situation escalated on Friday when, during a period following the student's placement of items into his P.E. locker, an alert teacher noticed another student standing nearby, seemingly blocking the view intentionally. Following another locker search based on the teacher's observations and the previous tip, a loaded 9mm gun was found, the serial numbers of which are not on this type of ghost gun.

The Santa Rosa Police Department confirmed the firearm is privately manufactured, or PMF, lacking the serial numbers that would typically allow for registration with the Department of Justice. Upon discovery, the school staff immediately detained the student, and the police were contacted, leading to the student’s arrest. The social media post detailed the charges, which include possession of a firearm on school grounds, possession of an unregistered firearm, and minor in possession of a gun.

Post-arrest, police again searched the suspect's residence in Santa Rosa and an additional property in Cotati connected to the suspect. Neither search yielded evidence related to the incident. All middle and high schools in the district employ the STOPit app, which allows students to report potential threats confidentially and is endorsed by the district as a key safety tool.