An Arlington Community High School student has been charged after a firearm was located in his backpack on school grounds. Petitions were obtained for the 17-year-old student for Possession of a Weapon on School Property, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile and Possession of Marijuana by Persons less than 21 Years Old. He is being held in a juvenile detention center.

At approximately 12 p.m. on Dec. 2, police responded to Arlington Community High School, located in the 4400 block of Fairfax Drive, after a school security guard located a loaded firearm with an extended magazine and suspected marijuana inside a student’s backpack. Responding officers took the student into custody and took possession of the firearm and marijuana. In the interest of public safety, Arlington Community High School was placed on lockdown during the investigation.

The safe resolution of this incident highlights the collaboration between Arlington Public Schools and the Arlington County Police Department. Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with their students about firearm safety, remind them that it is never ok to bring a weapon to school and that the possession of firearms and other weapons on school property is prohibited by law and has serious consequences. Additional gun safety resources are available online.

This remains an active criminal investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s tip line at 703-228-4180.