Student arrested after firearm found on campus

• Demydrick Jaku Rose Luke

A 17-year-old Sulphur Springs High School student brought a loaded handgun to school, resulting in a campus lockdown Wednesday morning, school authorities reported.

Sulphur Springs ISD Police Chief Pat Leber reported being notified of an emergency in the SSHS office. Upon arrival, Leber was directed to the office of Assistant Principal Mickey Reynolds. Reynolds informed Leber that he had located a gun in Demydrick Jaku Rose Luke’s backpack. A pat down did not reveal any concealed weapons on Rose-Luke, so Leber secured Rose Luke in double- locked handcuffs, the SSISD Police chief noted in arrest reports.

Rose Luke’s open backpack was sitting on a chair in the office, and Leber reportedly observed a black handgun sitting in plain sight inside it. Leber removed the handgun with loaded extended magazine, and unloaded it to make it safe, arrest reports read. The weapon was retained as evidence, and Rose Luke was taken into custody.

Rose Luke was transported to the Hopkins County jail for booking on a second-degree felony charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon (UCW) in a prohibited place. Rose Luke’s bond was set at $75,000, and he remained in custody as of 1:20 p.m. Thursday, May 9.

Parents of Sulphur Springs ISD students received an emailed statement just before noon Wednesday notifying them of the incident. The email statement from Superintendent Dr. Deana Steeber stated that an unnamed 17-year-old male student was found in possession of a firearm on the SSHS campus earlier Wednesday morning. The weapon was immediately confiscated, the campus was secured and law enforcement was notified. The student was arrested by SSISD police officers and was transported to the Hopkins County jail without further incident.

Steeber said in the statement, “As always, our top priority is the safety of our students and staff. SSISD has zero tolerance for prohibited weapons of any kind on our campuses and any violation of this policy will result in severe consequences in accordance with school policies and state law. We would like to commend SSHS administration and SSISD Police Department for their swift response to this incident.”

Steeber in the release to parents, noted that while investigation into the incident is ongoing, school officials believe it to be an “isolated incident,” with no other students are involved.

“We urge parents to talk with your child about gun safety and emphasize that it is against the law to bring a weapon of any type to school. Additionally, we ask that you remind your child to always report anything that seems suspicious,” the emailed letter from Steeber stated. “We understand that incidents like this can be unsettling and we want to reassure you that we are taking all necessary steps to address this situation and prevent similar incidents in the future. The safety and security of our school community remain our highest priority and we appreciate your cooperation and support as we work together to ensure a safe learning environment for all.”

One step the district has taken toward that goal was to announce a “no bag policy” implemented immediately and to extend at least through the end of the school year.

'Student laptops have been turned in. Students will have access to items needed for class in that classroom. There is no reason a student should need to carry a bag at this point. If they do show up to school with a bag, we will hold that bag in the office for the day,' parents learned around 4 p.m. May 8.

This is an effort to 'finish the last 10 days of the school year safely. We want our students, staff and parents to feel safe,' the parent notification stated.

There will be an exception for students who are still participating in school events and activities that warrant a bag. The bag may be brought to campus, but must be taken to that event/ activities room to leave for the day. 'Athletic bags may be kept in the Multi Purpose Building. Cheer bags may be kept in the cheer room, etc.' the note stated.

For students requiring personal hygiene products, some will be available from the nurse or the main office. Students may also bring their own personal hygiene products to store with the nurse for the remainder of the year.

Also, students and parents should note, lunches may be kept in the main office. However, the students' lunch box needs to have the student's name to be kept in the office before and after lunch.

'Again, we will not be allowing bags in the high school for the remainder of the school year. NO BAGS, NO EXCEPTIONS.' the notice from SSISD concluded.

Rose Luke remained in the county jail Friday in lieu of $75,000 bond set on the seond-degree felony charge.