Albuquerque –
A 17-year-old student from Volcano Vista High School will remain in custody after police caught him with a loaded firearm and extra ammunition on campus. Authorities are holding the teen at the Juvenile Detention Facility. He is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing tomorrow.
Police 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 loaded with 15 bullets. They also found 16 additional bullets in a separate bag in the student’s backpack. Authorities also searched the teen’s vehicle and found a shotgun inside.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office emphasized their zero-tolerance policy for firearms on school grounds. Unlawful carrying of a firearm on campus is a 4th-degree felony, and anyone caught will face serious legal consequences.
Yesterday, Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman called the situation “absolutely unacceptable and we will seek full accountability.”
Letter to Volcano Vista High Parents
On Tuesday, in a letter sent to parents, Volcano Vista High Principal Melissa Sedillo stated that the student had no intent to harm others. However, she stated that the presence of firearms violates school policy. She told parents that the teen could face expulsion along with criminal charges.
In the correspondence to parents, Principal Sedillo praised staff and APS Police for their swift response in detaining the student and securing the firearms. She also thanked the individual who reported the situation and reminded everyone to stay alert for suspicious activity. Principal Sedillio also expressed gratitude towards the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for their help.
Principal Sedillo did disclose in the communication that authorities had investigated an unrelated social media threat against the school. She did state that it was determined to be non-credible. According to Principal Sedillo, APS Police and Albuquerque Police will maintain an increased presence at the school for the rest of the week.
Multiple parents of Volcano Vista students reported that they were unaware of the firearms incident until they picked up their children from school and received the letter. Many expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which APS and Volcano Vista addressed the situation.
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.
[…] As we reported to you last week, a student at Volcano Vista was caught with two firearms on campus. A search of the teen’s backpack by Albuquerque Public Schools Police revealed a handgun loaded with 15 bullets. They also found 16 additional bullets in a separate bag in the student’s backpack. Authorities also searched the teen’s vehicle and found a shotgun inside. […]