Yesterday, at Rancho del Rey Middle School, things turned tense just before lunch when staff spotted an unspent round on campus and quickly called in the police. Within hours, a student was under arrest and a firearm had been pulled from a hiding spot near the Chula Vista campus.
According to school staff and Chula Vista police, the discovery happened shortly before 11 AM, when the round was found on school grounds and the campus was placed on secure status while officers swept the area. Officials emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to students or staff.
How Police Say It Unfolded
Officers were first alerted after staff and students reported seeing someone toss an object near the school’s perimeter fence, according to an advisory on the Chula Vista Police Department Facebook page.
In a detailed written update, the Chula Vista Police Department said school resource officers and patrol units searched the area and eventually located a firearm concealed under a bush near the fence line. The weapon had no serial number, its magazine was unloaded, and an additional round was found nearby.
One student was taken into custody in connection with the incident. Because the individual is a minor, police are not releasing any identifying information.
About Rancho Del Rey Middle School
Rancho del Rey is a large east Chula Vista campus serving more than 1,600 seventh- and eighth-graders, according to the Rancho del Rey Middle School website. School staff worked side by side with school resource officers during the search, and authorities reiterated that there was no ongoing threat to the campus once the firearm was secured.
Officials Praise Students And What Happens Next
In its written release, the Chula Vista Police Department credited the quick actions of people on campus, saying it “commends the students and staff who promptly reported concerning information, allowing officers to respond quickly and safely.”
The investigation is still underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or email the department’s media unit at [email protected], according to the Chula Vista Police Department.
Part Of A Troubling Regional Trend
This is not an isolated scare in Southern California. Earlier this year, a middle school student in Redlands was arrested after allegedly bringing a loaded firearm to campus, a case where student tips and campus security also helped avoid injuries, as reported by NBC Los Angeles.
Chula Vista police and school officials say their investigation into the Rancho del Rey incident is ongoing.
