FORT MOHAVE, AZ — An 8-year-old boy was arrested Monday after a loaded gun was found at Fort Mohave Elementary School in western Arizona.
Just before noon on Monday, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office was alerted by school staff about a gun on campus.
Before deputies arrived, a student was removed from a classroom and the weapon was secured.
MCSO says an investigation revealed the 8-year-old student was in possession of a loaded handgun.
Officials say the student showed the gun to other students and handed it off to another student.
A student who was not involved overheard the information and alerted the school's principal.
This prompted the school to take action and remove the boy with the gun from his classroom.
During an interview with the boy, his parents, and the 2nd student who took possession of the gun, it was revealed that a threat was made against a teacher while the first student had it.
The boy was arrested and taken to Mohave County Juvenile Detention Center to face multiple charges, including misconduct involving weapons, disorderly conduct, interfering with an educational institution and threatening/intimidating.
MCSO is still investigating how the boy got possession of the gun and who it belongs to.
Possible charges against the second boy are to be determined pending the outcome of the investigation.
The superintendent of the Mohave Valley School District, Cole Young, sent the following statement on today's incident to ABC15:
"Following the investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, we now understand more fully the seriousness of this incident. It reinforces that an event like this can happen anywhere, even in the remote areas of Mohave County. Our District’s top priority remains the safety of our students and staff. Because a student immediately reported what they saw, our team was able to secure the situation right away. We appreciate the response of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and will continue working closely with them to ensure our campuses remain safe places to learn."
You can read the latest message sent to school families below:
Fort Mojave Elementary Families,
In light of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office investigation and their press release regarding the incident at Fort Mojave Elementary School, we will have an increased Sheriff’s Office presence on campus to provide added reassurance and support as students return to school. Additionally, our district-wide social workers and school counselor will be available at Fort Mojave Elementary to meet with any student who may need someone to talk with or who may be feeling concerned about the incident. Please encourage your child to reach out if they would benefit from speaking with a trusted adult.
As always, the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. We are committed to keeping open lines of communication and ensuring that our school community feels supported and informed.
If you have any questions or feel your child may need additional support, please do not hesitate to contact your school office.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in MVESD.
