NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — A student at Washington Park High School was taken into custody Wednesday morning for taking a gun onto school grounds, according to authorities.
The school was put on lock down after a teacher spotted the student with the gun. It was lifted shortly thereafter when police detained the student.
The 16-year-old student faces tampering with evidence, carrying a concealed weapon and conveyance of a deadly weapon charges.
The Newburgh Heights Police Department got the call just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
“An alert teacher who saw this, notified security, notified the principal and initiated the lock down protocol,” said Lt Mike Marniella, Newburgh Heights Police Department.
Once police arrived, they discovered that the unloaded gun never actually made it into the school building.
“According to the student, he brought the gun to school to sell it to somebody. The gun was placed outside of the school and we located it,” said Marniella.
Police said the gun was found on a rock outside of the school and it was not loaded. “We don’t believe there was any intent of any violence. He made a bad choice and brought it to school to sell it,” said Marniella.
Police discovered an ankle monitor on the high school junior when he was arrested. He was on probation for criminal trespass and criminal damaging.
His mother said her son is a good kid and it was not his gun, but she declined a television interview.
He is expected to be arraigned Thursday morning.
Washington Park High School is located in the 3800 block of Washington Park Boulevard in Newburgh Heights.
