An Edmond Santa Fe High School student has been arrested after school officials reportedly found marijuana and a handgun in his backpack.
According to reports, a fellow student told a teacher that he or she may have seen a gun in the 15-year-old's backpack. However, the alleged witness didnot report the sighting until the end of the day. By that point, the student accused of carrying a gun had already gone home for the day.
The next morning, school officials and a campus resource officer with the Edmond Police Department questioned the boy, who denied carrying a firearm. However,they searched his backpack and allegedly found marijuana, a handgun, and ammunition.
The gun was not loaded, and school officials say the teen had not made any specific threats against Santa Fe students or staff. They call the situationan "isolated incident."
Edmond Santa Fe High School Principal Jason Hayes said in a statement, "The student will receive swift and appropriate consequences in accordance withschool board policy, and may face additional criminal charges. Santa Fe administrators will continue to work with local law enforcement in their investigation."
The teen was arrested on complaints of drug and firearm possession.
Although these are serious allegations against the student, he will be treated as a juvenile for the purposes of prosecution and adjudication. Under Oklahomalaw, a 15-year-old is only tried as an adult for first degree murder. There are certain circumstances under which a 15-year-old could be tried as ayouthful offender, a status which serves as a middle ground between adult prosecution and juvenile adjudication.
Teens aged 15, 16, or 17 are charged as youthful offenders for the following crimes:
Teens aged 16 or 17 will also be charged as youthful offenders for the following offenses:
To learn more about juvenile prosecution, or if your child has found himself or herself in legal hot water, call (405) 608-4990 to schedule a free, confidential case review.
