Gunn Junior High Principal Matt Varnell issued a statement to parents on Tuesday, advising that a student had brought a gun on campus the previous week.
Arlington ISD and Arlington police confirmed the gun-related incident, stating that a student came forward Tuesday to report that another student carried and displayed a gun at the school last Friday. It is unknown if the gun was loaded or if the student had ammunition, according to ABC News.
Although officers and school officials never saw the gun in question, the student admitted to bringing it to school, according to police. It is not known why the student had the gun.
The middle school principal lauded the student who came forward about his peer’s possession of a gun.
“I want to commend our student for saying something about the gun,” Varnell said, ABC News reported. “It’s important that when you see something, you say something. The safety and security of our students and staff is our No.1 priority.”
According to police, there were no injuries, and the student was later charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a prohibited place. The name of the arrested student will not be released because he or she is a minor.
Arlington police issued a statement warning residents about the dangers of bringing a gun to school.
“We would like to remind the public that it is illegal to bring a gun into a school – and there are very serious consequences for doing so,” the department said. “We also STRONGLY encourage parents/guardians who are gun owners to properly secure their firearms in their homes so that kids don’t have easy access to them. We recommend using a gun safe or gun lock.”
