Maryvale High student caught with gun on campus, police say
PHOENIX - A Maryvale High School student has been detained after they were caught with a handgun on campus Thursday, Phoenix police confirmed.
Staff members had informed officers that they believed a student was armed that morning. Police found the student in question and detained them after a short foot chase.
Another student was taken to the hospital as a precaution, but authorities did not specify what happened or if anyone was hurt.
"Phoenix Police are currently working closely with staff and administrators of Maryvale High School to ensure the continued safety of students, staff and community," police said.
Incident sparked chaos on campus, according to some students
During lunch, several students at the high school heard about a student with a gun on campus.
"I was in the cafeteria, and everyone's just running, so I followed them, and they were jumping the fence, and I jumped the fence too," 9th Grader Steve Galvan recounted. "They said it was a shooting, so I came over here with a friend, and I called my mom, and I told her what's going on."
Several people reportedly called 911 and said there was someone actively shooting, but police say "this was confirmed not to be the case."
"He was posting pictures of it on social media," said Steve.
This was not the first gun-related incident within the Phoenix Union High School District this week: on Sept. 5, a gun was found at the Linda Abril Educational Academy, which prompted the campus to be put on lockdown until the gun was secured.
During a private meeting, parents heard what school officials had to say about the incident, but some are demanding action.
"I don't know how that person got on the grounds with a gun, but we got to do something," said one parent.
School District officials say an off-duty police officer was on campus at the time. They also say additional safety measures will be in place, including the presence of more law enforcement officers.