Student arrested for bringing gun to Poteet High School
MESQUITE, Texas - A teenager brought a gun onto the Poteet High School campus in Mesquite Tuesday morning.
Police said someone reported that the juvenile student possibly had a pistol. School resource officers confronted him just before 11 a.m. and found the gun, which was not chambered or loaded, and ammunition.
Investigators are trying to figure out what prompted the male student to bring a gun to school. Police say he never threatened to use the weapon.
Parents and administrators are grateful to fellow classmates who spoke up.
The teen was taken into custody and will either be released to his parents or taken to the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center.
Police and school officials said the case was the perfect example of “see something, say something.”
“This morning, students reported seeing a male student in possession of a firearm. The students wasted no time in reporting the incident to adults, and the student with the firearm was immediately taken into custody by school resource officers,” Mesquite ISD said in a letter to parents.
The school district said it is proud of the students who took quick action to ensure everyone’s safety.
Parents were notified about the incident via email and automated message. Many were notified while their kids were still in school.
“They kept it under control and got it that quick, so they did a really good job,” said parent Frank Quintero.
“I’ve always had a lot of faith in Poteet,” said parent Melanie Juby. “It’s always been a really safe campus, and the kids are great.”
Police credit the alert classmates for acting fast.
“We encourage the kids in school if they see something to say something,” said Mesquite Police Sgt. Mark Bradford. “And that’s what happened this morning.”
Some parents plan to use the scare as a teachable moment.
“You got to tell them what’s going on and advise them what to look out for who to hang out with,” Quintero said. “It’s definitely scary though, for sure.”
Mesquite police say it will be up to the juvenile court system to determine what criminal charge the student should face. The school district won't disclose any disciplinary action due to student privacy laws.