De Anza High School
RICHMOND – A 14-year-old boy was caught with a gun and ammunition inside his backpack—and arrested last week by a police officer assigned to patrol inside De Anza High School.
A school resource officer (SRO) employed by the Richmond Police Department received a tip about a student bringing a loaded gun on campus—after the school day ended on November 16 and students had left.
The Richmond SRO unit is comprised of eight officers assigned to patrol high schools and a middle school. Officers are responsible for protecting students, teachers, and school administrators from violence and other disruptions, while maintaining order and discipline.
The officer who received the tip about the armed student advised school staff to remain alert and watch out for him the following day when school was back in session.
On November 17, the student walked out of a classroom at about 11 AM, while his class was still in session, and he sat down in chair nearby.
A school administrator walked passed the boy and saw the barrel of gun inside an unzipped backpack on the student’s lap; then the administrator quickly grabbed the backpack from him and accompanied the boy to the principal’s office.
The school police officer was summoned to principal’s office, where the student was being detained—the boy placed under arrest and the gun was recovered from him.
“This is yet another great example, of the importance of having the SROs in schools for everyone’s safety, along with their ability to mentor and coach students,” said the Richmond Police Department in a prepared statement.
