A Valley High School student faces possible disciplinary and legal consequences after a loaded firearm was reportedly found in his backpack.
Principal Anthony Griego sent a letter to parents Thursday informing them of the incident earlier in the day.
The student found with the weapon is not believed to have expressed any intent to harm himself or anyone else, Griego wrote. The weapon was found when school staff searched the backpack while investigating an unrelated infraction, according to the letter.
“Nevertheless, I want to be unequivocally clear: the possession of any weapon, particularly a gun, within the confines of our school premises is an egregious and intolerable violation of our rules and regulations,” Griego wrote.
He wrote that the student involved could be expelled and possibly charged with a criminal offense. The student has not been publicly identified.
Martín Salazar, a spokesperson for Albuquerque Public Schools, confirmed Friday the student was taken into custody by Albuquerque Police Department officers and booked; he was unaware of what charges the student faces.
Nancy Laflin, a spokesperson for the 2nd Judicial District Attorney, said she couldn’t comment on specific juvenile cases and that the possible charges against someone carrying a firearm to school depend on a range of variable factors.
However, Laflin noted, New Mexico law prohibits anyone younger than 19 from possessing a firearm.
This is the first firearm found on an APS campus this year, Salazar said. He earlier told City Desk ABQ 13 weapons were found last school year, including two in the possession of adults.