EASTPOINTE (WWJ) — A 16-year-old student is in custody after allegedly bringing a loaded gun to Eastpointe High School on Thursday morning.
The teen is being held at the Macomb Juvenile Justice Center and the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case to determine what charges he will face.
It all unfolded around 8 a.m. on Oct. 3 as the student was arriving at the school on Couzens Avenue, near 9 Mile and Gratiot, according to the Eastpointe Police Department.
Eastpointe police officers were called to the school after getting a weapons complaint. Officials say when the student was entering the school, security officers “observed a bulge in his waistband.”
When asked to be checked with the metal detector, he allegedly refused to cooperate.
When the security guard tried to retrieve the gun from the student, a struggle ensued. Luckily, according to police, the security guard was able to disarm the student.
Officials determined the gun had been stolen.
After a short lockdown, the school resumed its operations and officials say there is no further threat at this time.
It is unknown why the student brought the weapon to the school.
“Eastpointe PD wants to commend the school security officer for his vigilance and willingness to act to disarm the suspect,” officials said in a press release. “Although we do not know the reason for the student bringing the weapon to the school, there is a high possibility that the security guard’s actions possibly prevented a tragic situation.”
The department is reminding parents to speak with their children and “educate them on the dangers of weapons. Please tell your children that there is no need to possess them and that violence does not solve anything.”