CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – Cleveland Heights police say they are investigating after a 17-year-old Cleveland Heights High School senior was the victim of an attempted robbery at the school Monday.
Police say the attempted robbery happened in the restroom.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper hit by flying object during Milton live shot The victim and his parents spoke to the I-Team , they asked that they not be identified but said they would like more security at the school.
“You shouldn’t have to worry about somebody bringing a gun to school,” the victim told us. “I got a pass to use the restroom Monday afternoon. As I was leaving the restroom, I turned around and there was a man there, he demanded my phone, my clothes, he pulled out a gun and said he wants everything.”
The victim refused to hand over his phone. He said he ran out of the restroom and told a coach. The suspect, a 17-year-old student, was arrested a short time later.
“The suspect was found to have in his possession a loaded handgun and was subsequently transported to the Juvenile Detention Center on charges of Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Felony weapons charges,” said Cleveland Heights Police Chief Chris Britton.
Another student was arrested Thursday with a gun, police and parents told the I-Team.
The school will be closed Friday.
Watch: Massive 28-foot wave captured inside Hurricane Milton We reached out to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District asking to talk to someone on camera to discuss the matter. Our request was denied. We sent an email asking specific questions about the incident and if there were any other students arrested this school year for having a gun. District officials did not answer our questions but sent the following statement:
Nothing is more important than the safety of our students and staff. As a district, we consistently
work with our staff, families, students, school safety experts, law enforcement, and community
partners to review and update our security structures. This year we have added additional
security measures, including screening students for prohibited items.
It goes without saying that having a weapon on campus is an extremely serious offense. We are
supporting law enforcement with their investigation and taking all steps in accordance with our
Student Code of Conduct.
At Heights High and throughout CH-UH schools, staff work hard to connect with our students
and develop trusting relationships with them in order to foster a positive school culture. It is
because of these relationships that our students are comfortable telling adults about possible
safety issues. We will continue to work with our community to keep our schools safe.
Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District:
The I-Team also put in a public record request with the Cleveland Heights Police Department , asking if any other students were arrested this school year for having a gun.
Police officials told us that including Monday’s incident, a total of four students have been arrested on school property this school year for having a loaded handgun.
‘I’m fine’: Tampa’s ‘Lt. Dan’ survives Hurricane Milton on his boat The first incident occurred on Sept. 3 around 10:05 am. CHPD officers working the Heights High security detail were notified by school staff that a student was armed with a gun. CHPD officers located the student, who was armed with a loaded handgun. The 18-year-old was taken into custody and was charged with felony weapons offenses.
The second incident happened on Sept. 18 around 3:15 p.m. Police were alerted to a group of juveniles fighting on school grounds. A school security officer reported that one of the juveniles may have been armed. Officers quickly located the 15-year-old juvenile male, who was taken into custody and found to have a loaded handgun. He was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center on Felony Weapons charges.
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