GOODYEAR, Ariz. — GOODYEAR, Ariz. – A Valley high school student was booked into the Durango Juvenile Detention facility after police said they found a handgun, magazine and three knives in his backpack Thursday morning at Estrella Foothills High School.
Goodyear Police said the gun found in the student’s backpack was stolen.
Most parents who spoke with 12 News got a message from the school through an email, text or call. That was the same information up on the high school and Buckeye Union High School District websites.
It explained that staff at Estrella Foothills High got information through their anonymous alerts system stating a student had a weapon on campus.
Staff searched his backpack and said they found an unloaded gun, full magazine and three knives.
Goodyear Police said they took the student into custody “without incident.”
Parents, like Jackie Baeza, were happy someone spoke up, but Ruben Medina, whose son is a senior at the school, said this was out of control.
“It was very scary and you just don’t think it’s going to happen. Very, very nerve-wracking […] That’s the real hero. Whoever that was, whoever reported it is the person we’re thanking,” Baeza said.
“Maybe enforce more the gun law and maybe have the schools more checked as far as bringing guns […] I don’t know, metal detectors, but it’s getting to the point where it’s getting really bad,” Medina said.
Alexa Dashnaw helped organize the March for Our Lives walkout at Estrella Foothills a few months back. Dashnaw said Thursday, she was frustrated.
“We did all that work and we thought people would be more aware and I don’t feel like it hit everyone like I was hoping,” Dashnaw said.
Goodyear Police said they questioned the suspect Thursday, who was booked on charges of minor in possession of a firearm, possession of a deadly weapon concealed, possession of a deadly weapon on school grounds and possession of stolen property.
A spokesperson with the Goodyear Police Dept. told 12 News the student didn’t make any threats, so they were investigating what his plans were for these weapons.
High school and school district staff declined to comment Thursday, saying they would only release the information already sent to parents and posted online.