15-year-old student arrested, caught carrying concealed handgun at Southfield A&T High School: cops

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- A 15-year-old student was arrested at Southfield A&T High School on Monday after police say he was caught carrying a concealed gun.

The morning of Sept. 16, Southfield Police say School Resource Officers received a tip from security staff at the school, on Lahser Road, that a student was in possession of a handgun.

At around 10 a.m., officers located the student in a bathroom.

"After a brief struggle, officers removed the loaded handgun from the student’s waistband area," according to the Southfield Police Department.

No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported.

At a news conference Tuesday, Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said investigators have learned that the teen stole the gun for a friend's house in Detroit, and intended to use it to protect himself.

"Carrying a gun on school property is unforgiveable. I'm gonna say it again — it is unforgivable," Barren said. "There's too many things happening across our country when it comes to these weapons and being in the possession of people who are irresponsible."

Barren reiterated that while the teen told police he was carrying the gun solely for protection, and that he did not intend to shoot anyone, there is no excuse for bringing a guy into a school.

"In this case, even though there's no suggestion that he was gonna use the gun to bring harm to those students," Barren said, "what about accidental shootings?"

The student, identified as a Detroit resident, has been charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting and Obstructing, and Possession of a Weapon in a Weapons Free School Zone.

He remains held at Oakland County Children's Village.

Anyone with more information about this case is asked to call the Southfield PD at 248-796-5500, and reference complaint number 24-33976.