Eastpointe High School security guard disarms student who brought loaded gun to school
EASTPOINTE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A security guard at Eastpointe High School disarmed a student after noticing a bulge in the teen's waistband Thursday morning.
"Who knows what was going to be done with this gun," said Easpointe Lt. Alex Holish.
Police said the student was entering the school around 8 a.m. when the guard saw something on the 16-year-old's waistband and tried to check the student with a metal detector wand. When the student refused to cooperate and a struggle ensued.
The unarmed guard was able to secure the loaded handgun, which was stolen, away from the student. The teen was taken into custody pending charges. The student will also face disciplinary action from Eastpointe High.
"I feel blessed that I have such a great team that they reacted so quickly and handled it in a manner that was a very minor disruption to our school," Eastpointe High School Principal Todd Yarch said.
The school was under an approximately 30 minute lockdown before classes resumed.
"It’s pretty scary, I think, for the kids, for the parents – the whole neighborhood," Easpointe resident Judy Trupiano said.
This year, new safety protocols have been implemented – including using a separate entrance, bag checks and other ideas suggested by students and staff, according to the district.
The students "wanted the types of procedures we’re doing now," Yarch said. "We have not had anybody getting upset about (waiting) a few minutes to get in the door while we check people. I think that's one of the things that has made things so much better – is that they're so supportive of what we’re doing to keep kids safe."
The student who allegedly brought the gun to school has been questioned by Eastpointe police and is currently lodged at the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center.
"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," Eastpointe police said in a press release.
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