Tulsa East Central Student Arrested For Bringing Gun To School

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa Police arrested a 15-year-old freshman for bringing a .22 caliber weapon to East Central High School Thursday morning. A tip to campus security led to the boy's arrest.

Parents in the school district received an automated message about the event, according to Tulsa Public Schools spokesperson Tami Marler.

TPS Campus Police Chief Gary Rudick said no other students were implicated in the incident.

"The fact that students felt comfortable enough with the East Central officer that they came to him with their concerns is a very positive sign," said Rudick. "We work hard at building relationships with students, and they know they can count on us to take immediate, discreet action to keep them safe."

Administrators and police officers searched other lockers and property the teen might have had access to but found nothing else.

"Because of the swift action taken by school staff and campus officers, the majority of students and staff were probably not even aware of the incident," Rudick said.

The teen said he brought the gun to school because he was afraid of some gang members.

TPS averages three to five incidents a year where a student brings an actual gun to school. They see quite a few more cases of pellet guns, BB guns or air-soft guns.

State law requires at least a one year suspension for bringing on gun on campus.