Albuquerque –
On the morning of September 17, 2024, staff at Volcano Vista High School confiscated a loaded firearm from a student’s backpack. A search of the student’s vehicle revealed a second firearm. APS has stated that the student did not express any intention of harming themselves or others. They went on to say that the presence of weapons on campus is a severe violation of school policy. The student is now facing disciplinary action, including possible expulsion and prosecution.
In a letter sent to parents, the Principal of Volcano Vista, Melissa Sedillo, stated “I would like to express my gratitude for the swift response by Volcano Vista staff and the Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department. They jumped in immediately, seizing the firearms and detaining the student. I’m also thankful to the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”
Principal Sedillo went on to say “I am grateful to the individual who alerted us to the situation. It is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities or concerns.”
Authorities investigated a separate social media threat against Volcano Vista, which is unrelated to the student with the guns. The social media threat was found to be not credible. However, as a precaution, there will be an increased presence of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Police and Albuquerque Police on campus throughout the week.
School officials stress that campus safety is their top priority and that they will take all threats seriously. They have provided counseling resources for students and staff affected by the incidents.
We contacted Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman for a statement on the Volcano Vista High incident. DA Bregman stated “this is absolutely unacceptable and we will seek full accountability.”
A Tense Day for APS Students and Staff, Three Other APS Schools Affected by Shelter-in-Place Orders
Today was a busy day for APS, as three other schools—Del Norte, Nex+Gen and Albuquerque High, went into a shelter-in-place.
Around 11:30 AM, authorities issued a shelter-in-place order at Del Norte High. Out of precaution, Nex+Gen Academy High School was also asked to shelter-in-place. Police concluded that there was no credible threat at Del Norte. Both schools were taken out of lockdown at 11:46 AM.
At 1:27 PM, Albuquerque High School went into a shelter-in-place because of police activity nearby. APS announced the end of the Albuquerque High shelter-in-place at 2:24 PM.
UPDATE:
On Thursday, September 19, a judge ruled the teen charged with bringing a handgun and shotgun to a high school in Albuquerque will remain in custody as his case goes through the judicial process.
The 17-year-old has been arraigned on charges of unlawful carrying of a weapon on school grounds and unlawful carrying of a gun by a person under 19.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.
I think it might be overstating two guns as an arsenal. Seems like click bait that I feel those who run ABQ RAW are above. People would read the article all the same if you had just said a student with 2 guns had been arrested.
That said thankfully the situation was taken care of swiftly and without injury to students staff or officers.
Totally agree on all counts. So I hope they keep pouncing on the kids AND THE PARENTS.
Its the only way they will put a stop to it. Let the kid finish HS in jail. Of if the kid is 18… let him rot till he’s 21. (incentive to not do it in the first place) One or both parents get smacked as well..!! I think we are ALL tired of this.
Arsenal?
Right
This happened in the morning and parents were not notified until school was out. That’s unacceptable and who decides if these threats are credible. As a parent we should be told and be able to make the decisions of our children going to school. Most of the students did not even know there was a person at school with a gun. Very disappointed…..do better APS
Agreed I have 4 kids 2 of which are still in the APS system. APS has had communication problems for years now. My oldest son fell at recess once and severely broke his arm. Instead of the school calling for an ambulance like they should have given how severe the injury was they called me. Took me slightly over 20 mins to get to the school and when I got there they said feel free to transport him in your vehicle to the hospital. I said absolutely not he needs an ambulance right now. They refused to call for one so I made the call myself. My son ended up suffering far more than he needed to all because APS had their heads up their asses! Like you said DO BETTER APS!
Maybe the Governor needs to increase their pay again?
my question is WHY…. WHY?
My generation all grew up with guns guns guns, NEVER had issues with kids. This isn’t about guns, but what motivates kids to do stupid garbage like this. THAT is what needs to be looked into. But yet, parents with kids…. LOCK UP YOUR DANG GUNS!!!!
Sorry for yelling.
Exactly what I’m saying.
Agreed! What people don’t get is that the is an underlying problem within the youth. Majority of the time it’s situations that can be handled by the adults in their life… Either they are being bullied at school or their home life is fucked, either way we as society in a whole are failing in one way or another at making sure that the younger generations are taken care of, yet everyone wants to take shit and point the finger. IT TAKES A VILLAGE!!!
Arsenal? Bit malodramatic even given the circumstance
ya, no joke. DEI hire?
Two does not constitute an “arsenal!”
Clickbait
Arsenal!? The Dem spin… Yeah, NM ranks dead last in literacy, but Sesame Street taught us how to count higher than two.
Maybe if the state set an example with adult felons to include juveniles, “Mijo” wouldn’t do what ever he felt like on impulse. Mental health, fine, make a city for them, and see how “well” they become after a few months in one. Raise their standards, don’t lower or enable them.
[…] reportedly received a tip on Tuesday, September 17, about the student carrying a gun at school. A search of the teen’s backpack by Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Police revealed a handgun […]
As a former APS employee, I would never recommend sending your children to APS or even allow anyone to work for APS. APS is horrible at everything! They don’t protect their staff, they don’t protect our kids.
[…] 17-year-old student was arrested on September 17, 2024, after a loaded firearm and additional ammunition were discovered in their backpack. In this case, a shotgun was recovered from the student’s vehicle. It was not disclosed […]