Harper Woods student in custody after bringing gun to school

A student that attends Harper Woods High School was arrested after being found with a handgun in their backpack, the school district said Thursday.

The weapon was detected through the high school's security system and confiscated, said Harper Woods Schools Superintendent Steven McGhee, whose son is a senior at the school. The student then fled the scene but was later apprehended when they returned to the building. 

"When it's your child's school, it's frightening," Patrick Snead added; his daughter also attends Harper Woods High School. "It makes you quite upset." 

The school was placed into lockdown during an investigation, which has since been lifted, according to a letter posted on the school's social media page. 

School officials said the student did not show any red flags prior to the incident.

"What’s devastating is – he comes from a solid household," McGhee said. "Also, good grades. Decent grades – not having a troubling record."

It's the latest incident involving firearms on school grounds after two separate incidents earlier this year. In May, two cars were struck by gunfire during prom festivities. A week later, a student brought a gun to school before it was confiscated.

Related

Harper Woods school employee describes culture of fear, coverups after gun found at high school

After two incidents involving guns in Harper Woods, including one where a student brought a weapon to the high school, an employee with the district came forward describing a culture of fear and coverups.

The fallout from both cases has left parents angry and one employee describing a culture of fear and coverups at the district. 

Speaking anonymously with FOX 2 earlier this year, the employee said issues like the district not alerting parents about the incidents were just the tip of the iceberg.

Harper WoodsCrime and Public Safety