A Thursday night at Town Center at Creekside turned tense when New Braunfels police arrested a 15-year-old boy who they say displayed a handgun during a confrontation outside the Target, then slipped into the nearby movie theater and hid the weapon in a restroom stall. Officers later found the gun during a search of the building and took the juvenile to the Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention Center, while the other teens with him were released to family members, authorities said.
According to News 4 San Antonio, the confrontation unfolded at about 9:30 p.m. in the shopping-center parking lot. New Braunfels police told the station they later recovered the handgun from a stall at EVO Creekside Cinemas after theater staff and witnesses helped them search the property. No one was injured.
Per the New Braunfels Police Department, the 15-year-old faces charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon, tampering with evidence and making a terroristic threat. The department said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges could be filed as detectives follow leads. Because of their ages, officials did not release the names of the juveniles involved.
How Investigators Say The Scene Played Out
Investigators say the sequence started with a confrontation outside the Target at Town Center at Creekside, where the teen allegedly produced a firearm during an argument, according to News 4 San Antonio. After that, he went into the adjoining movie complex, and officers believe he tried to stash the weapon in a restroom.
Responding officers followed up on witness accounts and combed the theater. According to the outlet, they eventually located the handgun inside a restroom stall at EVO Creekside Cinemas, ending what could have been a far more chaotic night at the popular entertainment spot.
Charges And Juvenile Custody
The New Braunfels Police Department confirmed the juvenile was booked into the Guadalupe County Juvenile Detention Center and that other juveniles present were released to family members. Because the suspect is a minor, juvenile court procedures will govern how charging and detention decisions play out as detectives continue their probe.
Authorities urged anyone with video or information about what happened in the parking lot or theater to contact police.
Local Context
Incidents involving teens and weapons have triggered sizable law enforcement responses in New Braunfels before. Area media and police records show local schools and busy retail centers have seen several weapon-related calls in recent years. The Express-News has previously covered episodes that drew heavy police attention, underscoring how quickly disputes at high-traffic shopping and entertainment hubs can escalate.
New Braunfels police and juvenile authorities say the investigation into the Creekside incident is still active and that more charges may follow as they sort through statements and any additional evidence that comes in.
