GJHS student brings BB gun to school

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Gallup Junior High officials notified police after a 12-year-old student was found in possesion of a gun.

Following a third-hour class, a student reportedly placed a note inside the school counselor's box that indicated he had seen the 12-year-old student with a BB gun.

During his seventh-hour class, the same student requested to go see the counselor to vocalize his concern about the student with the gun. School officials notified Gallup Police about the situation and located the BB gun in the front belt line of the seventh grader.

The student told officers that the gun did not belong to him, but that it belonged to another student. According to a police report, he said the BB gun in his possession was the same as the gun he had at home.

Gallup Police Sgt. Scott Montoya called Juvenile Probation Officer Phillip Maestas who authorized the release of the student to his parents. The BB gun was confiscated and booked into evidence at the Gallup Police Department.

Tammy Smith, principal of the school, said she sent students home with a letter to parents the following day saying that no one was in danger in the incident.

She also said that there was never a lockdown, although the last bell was delayed for five minutes so that school officials could resolve the situation.

When asked if the school was considering disciplinary action against the student, she said the school "will follow school board policy."