DES MOINES, Iowa — A 16-year-old student at Roosevelt High School is in custody after staff say they found a loaded handgun in their backpack, Des Moines police said in a press release.
Police were called to the school around 9:30 a.m. Monday after the weapon was removed from the student's backpack.
"Other than the obvious dangers associated with a student bringing a handgun into a school, the preliminary investigation has found no indication of threats being made to another student or staff," DMPD said in the release.
The suspect has been referred to the juvenile courts system on two charges:
- Carrying Firearms On School Grounds
- Possession of Dangerous Weapons and Loaded Firearms By Minors
In an email to families, Roosevelt Principal Steven Schappaugh said the student was under supervision the entire time they were at the school, writing in part, "...at no time were other students in any danger."
Schappaugh also noted in the email the school went "on a hold" for a few minutes while police escorted the suspect off campus.
"I am thankful to our staff who used our available resources and training to quickly assess the situation and resolve it without incident," Schappaugh said in the email. "We are grateful to our public safety team and DMPD for their quick response and assistance today."