Albuquerque –
Authorities recovered yet another firearm on a school campus, this time after a 17-year-old allegedly pointed a gun at a crossing guard outside Jackson Middle School on August 27th, 2025. The teen now faces multiple felony charges.
According to investigators, the teen had arrived at Jackson Middle School to pick up his sibling when he parked his car over a crosswalk. Officers say the crossing guard blew his whistle, signaling the teen to move the vehicle. Instead, the teen reportedly drove into the school’s staff parking lot.
When the crossing guard approached to inform him that parking on the crosswalk was not allowed, the teen allegedly pointed a gun at the guard and threatened him saying, “I will kill you.” Police later found the weapon hidden under the car’s front seat.
The teen has been charged with unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on a school campus, unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under 19, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
On Friday, August 29th, a judge ruled to keep the teen in custody as the case proceeds through the court system.
On August 20, officials recovered four firearms across two Albuquerque Public School campuses, two at West Mesa High School and two at Albuquerque High School. In a separate incident near Del Norte High School, officers also recovered another firearm. Two teens were found in possession of the weapon while standing on the sidewalk just outside the school’s fence/gate. When APS Police approached, the two teens fled toward Montgomery Plaza. The female suspect, who had reportedly stolen the firearm from a family member, handed it to her boyfriend. After their arrest, officers found the firearm in his possession. Officials from Del Norte High School have attempted to claim in a letter to parents the firearm was never actually brought “onto” campus.
Although school officials may argue the firearm was never brought “onto” campus, federal law still applies to areas surrounding schools, not just the grounds themselves. Federal law strictly prohibits firearms in and around school campuses. Under the Gun-Free School Zones Act (GFSZA) of 1990 (18 U.S. Code § 922(q)), it is illegal for any individual to knowingly possess a firearm:
- On school grounds — including public, private, or parochial schools, and
- Within 1,000 feet of a school’s property line.
Penalties:
- Violating the GFSZA can result in federal criminal charges, including fines and up to five years in prison. To date, ABQ RAW does not know of any juveniles that have been charged federally for having a firearm at a “gun free zone.”
If you’re a parent, guardian, or school staff member and receive notice of a firearm or weapon found on or near school property, we encourage you to share a tip with our newsroom. Your identity will remain confidential. We often rely on tips from the community to learn about these incidents, as they are not always publicly reported until someone is booked.
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[…] ABQ RAW: Authorities recovered yet another firearm on a school campus, this time after a 17-year-old allegedly pointed a gun at a crossing guard outside Jackson Middle School on August 27th, 2025. The teen now faces multiple felony charges. More Here […]