7-year-old brought loaded guns to school, possible charges in process

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The parents of the 7-year-old who brought the loaded guns to school could soon face charges.

A spokesperson with the Cochise County Public Defender's Office has confirmed this with KGUN 9.

Communications Program Coordinator Carol Capas says the office is in the process of submitting a report to the Cochise County Attorney's Office for review and possible charges against the parents.

Original story:

Cochise County Sheriff's deputies say a 7-year-old second-grade student brought a weapon to school Monday.

According to the office, deputies found a gun and ammunition in his backpack. The boy also had a second gun, CCSO says.

The boy attends Cochise School in Cochise, Ariz. The school is located at 5025 N. Bowie Ave.

School Superintendent and Principal Karl Uterhardt said he was helping students clean up a concession stand at the school when the office called him, reporting a student had seen a weapon on campus.

“I’ve searched backpacks and stuff and I’ve never found anything ever," said Uterhardt.

Uterhardt said he found two loaded guns in the student's backpack.

“So just to clarify, both of the guns were loaded?" asked KGUN9 Reporter, Faith Abercrombie.
"Yes," Uterhardt responded.

The school says they immediately called the Cochise County Sheriff's Office and the student's parents.

“The sheriffs came in and they did their interview. Mom was there. We made sure we called the parents to make sure that they knew this was happening," said Uterhardt. “You hear about it in the news, you hear about things you never think it’s going to happen to you," he added.

Uterhardt said the staff will be meeting this week to discuss safety protocols and how to move forward.

"I'm thanking god that it turned out the way that it did. You couldn't hope for a better result. I'm very happy with the kids that spoke up," Uterhardt said. "And as an administrator you got to listen to the kids even if you think it's 'ehh'...you got to treat it seriously," he said.

CCSO contacted the boy's parents and gave the boy a juvenile referral for charges of misconduct with a weapon and a minor in possession of a firearm.

CCSO spokeswoman Carol Capas said it is not likely that the parents will face charges in the incident.

This incident comes a week after a 4th grader took a gun to Legacy Traditional School's Queen Creek campus.

RELATED - How local schools are updating security and safety

☼ MUSD worked with local law enforcement to conduct security assessments at all schools and added a safety and security coordinator who is a former police officer.

☼ NUSD instituted new district-wide security measures including an app that keeps teachers updated on all incidents.

☼ TUSD reviewed emergency response plans, including lock downs and evacuation protocols. The district also indicated that they planned to hire two more security officers and five more school safety supervisors when KGUN last spoke with them.