A 15-year-old teenager from Arizona has been arrested after allegedly bringing a fully automatic AR-15 to Bostrom High School in Phoenix. The incident has raised concerns about the accessibility of lethal weapons to minors.
According to court documents obtained, the teenager was found to be in possession of a device that would enable the AR-15 to function as a fully automatic machine gun.
Disturbing Details Unveiled in Court Documents
According to NBC News, court documents exclusively obtained by NBC News reveal disturbing details about the incident. The 15-year-old teenager, whose identity is being withheld due to his minor status, allegedly brought a disassembled AR-15 along with a device known as a "lightning link" to Bostrom High School.
When combined with the AR-15's upper and lower receivers, the lightning link can transform the weapon into a fully automatic firearm. This means that the weapon would be capable of firing continuously without the need to repeatedly pull the trigger.
Police were alerted to the presence of a firearm on the Phoenix campus after receiving reports from unidentified sources. The school immediately went into lockdown as officials detained the student in the main office. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, the 15-year-old was found speaking to the principal and vice principal.
The teenager allegedly displayed aggressive behavior, prompting officers to handcuff him and make the arrest. During a subsequent search, police discovered the lightning link device, a lower receiver, a fully loaded magazine, additional ammunition, and firearm-related accessories in the teenager's backpack. Notably, the upper receiver was concealed inside the teenager's sweatpants, with the barrel facing upward towards the officers. To their surprise, the officers also found a live cartridge inside the chamber.
According to USA TODAY, in a statement from Principal Michelle Gutierrez de Jimenez, the school administration became aware of a potential presence of a weapon on campus during lunchtime, prompting them to initiate a lockdown as a precautionary measure.
In response, Bostrom High School, which is characterized by a small learning environment as described on the Phoenix Union High School District website, will implement additional safety measures on Monday as a proactive step.
Instagram Messages and Parental Shock
Further investigation into the teenager's activities led police to obtain a search warrant for his laptop. The examination of his online communications revealed Instagram messages between the teenager and another minor. These messages reportedly involved discussions about the sale of a firearm, although it remains unclear whether the other juvenile was also a student at Bostrom High School or if they were referring to the firearm brought to the school.
The teenager's mother, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed shock over the allegations against her son. She mentioned that nobody in their immediate family owned guns, and her son had never expressed an interest in firearms.
Describing her son as easily influenced, she attributed his actions to his desire to fit in. She also stated that her son has ADHD, shedding light on potential factors that may have contributed to the incident.
Calls for Regulation and Legal Consequences
The arrest of the Arizona teenager for bringing a fully automatic AR-15 to Phoenix's Bostrom High School has reignited the debate surrounding gun control and the accessibility of firearms, particularly to minors.
According to TODAY, the incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The 15-year-old now faces multiple felony charges, including being a minor in possession of a firearm, manufacturing, possessing, or selling a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct with a weapon, and interfering with an educational institution. He is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear in court with a parent for a pre-trial conference.
As the investigation continues, authorities and educational institutions must work together to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
It is imperative to address the underlying issues surrounding the incident and take the necessary steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, safeguarding the educational environment for all.
