TEMPE, AZ -- Police arrested a student who allegedly took a gun to his Tempe high school on Monday, then ran away from the scene on foot.
Tempe Police Sgt. Steve Carbajal said police arrested the 15-year-old boy at a relative's home near Guadalupe and Rural roads about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.
The teen was booked into jail on an outstanding parole warrant, Carbajal said.
McClintock High School was put on lockdown Monday after the gun was found; the school remained on a "heightened awareness level" while authorities look for the teen, according to Carbajal.
Last week, the teen was apparently involved in some type of off-campus fight.
When he arrived at school on Monday, Carbajal said security officers asked him to come to the front office to talk about the fight.
While walking to the office, the teen stopped and ran away, according to Carbajal, but left a backpack behind that contained a loaded handgun.
It's unknown if the teen had any intention to use the handgun, however Carbajal said his office takes situations like this very seriously.
Carbajal said his office believes the teen may have gang ties.
According to Tempe Union High School District Spokesperson Linda Littell, the district has a zero tolerance policy for weapons and says safety is their number one priority.
The school sent a letter home with students, informing parents about the incident.
According to Carbajal, "the investigation and potential charges regarding the incident that occurred at McClintock High School on Monday is continuing."
ABC15 has chosen to remove the name and photograph of the teen because he is a juvenile and has not been charged with an adult crime.
