Arizona: The police in the US city of Phoenix arrested a high school boy for possessing and bringing to the school a semi-automatic rifle alongside carrying ammunition in the backpack and lunch box.
Cops rushed at Bostrom High School Maryvale just before 1 pm after being alerted of a possible gun on campus, CNN reported the other day.
Immediately after receiving the alert, the police placed the school under lockdown lasting, according to a school spokesperson, over one hour.
‘'We commend those who originally reported the possibility of a weapon on school grounds to adults on campus who immediately called police,’ Phoenix police reportedly said.
Police have not revealed the identity of the 15-year-old boy, because of being a minor who, however, remained in custody till Saturday.
The boy now faces two charges by the Pinal County Attorney's Office, for possessing a firearm and interfering or disrupting an educational institution.
Principal Michelle Gutierrez de Jimenez thanked those who reported the police of the incident that made Phoenix Police Department to quickly arrive on campus.
‘We recognize the severity of this situation and the fear and anxiety it causes our students and staff. We will have social-emotional support available at school for students and staff who may need it,’ Jimenez added.
Police have not revealed how the boy come to possess the firearm and what he brought it in the school for.
AR-15-style rifles can fire one bullet per pull of the trigger, while automatically reloading for another shot.
AR-15-style rifles are found to be widely used in many of the recent mass shootings in the US including the most recent incident at a Texas mall.