Another Teenager Found With Rifle Near Texas Elementary School

Just one day after a school shooting six hours away in Uvalde that left 21 dead, a Texas high school student was arrested after police say they found a firearm in his car in a nearby parking lot.

According to a Facebook post by the Richardson Police Department, a call came in on Wednesday, shortly before 11 am, of a man strolling toward Berkner High School with what seemed to be a rifle. Police officers were dispatched “within minutes,” per the statement, and they were soon able to track down the suspect, a minor who attends the high school, inside the school.

The post reads:

“On May 25, 2022, at 10:55AM, the Richardson Police Department received a phone call from a business in the 1500 block of East Spring Valley Road reporting a male holding what appeared to be a rifle. The male was last seen walking towards Berkner High School, located at 1600 East Spring Valley Road.

“Within minutes of the call being dispatched, numerous police officers from various units within the Richardson Police Department responded to Berkner High School and initiated a search and investigation into this incident.

“Nearby schools were notified of the police activity. Based on the information provided and in collaboration with Richardson ISD, officers were able to identify the male suspect as a juvenile student of Berkner High School. The suspect was located inside Berkner High School, but no weapons were found. Further investigation led to the discovery of a vehicle used by the suspect in the parking lot of 1551 East Spring Valley Road. Inside the vehicle, officers observed what appeared to be an AK-47 style pistol and a replica AR-15 style Orbeez rifle.

“The juvenile suspect was arrested and charged with Unlawful Carrying Weapons in a Weapon-Free School Zone, T.P.C. 46.02, a State Jail Felony. No further information is being released on the suspect due to his age.

“The Richardson Police Department would like to remind the public of the importance to report suspicious activity, as we recognize the vigilant awareness and actions of the person who initially called 911 to alert law enforcement. The Richardson Police Department continues to work in partnership with Richardson ISD, Plano ISD, and our faith-based organizations to ensure the safety of our community, especially at our schools and places of worship.”

The student has been arrested and now faces a state jail felony charge of unlawful carrying of weapons in a weapon-free school zone, though no further details are being released due to his juvenile status, police say.

The high school’s principal lauded the person who alerted authorities. “We appreciate the citizen who reported it,” Kristy Cage said, adding the student would also face repercussions for violating the school’s code of conduct, per CBS News. The student who reported it “saw something and said something, which is exactly what we want students, staff, and community to do when they see something that concerns them.”

We are glad the police were able to avert another ugly incident from happening.