GRESHAM, Ore. (KOIN) — A Sam Barlow High School student was arrested Saturday after officers found him with guns and ammunition on the school’s roof during the annual winter formal dance.
Multiple students initially reported seeing a suspicious person on the roof of the school and police were called to investigate, Gresham-Barlow School District said.
Officers determined the person on the roof was a student and said he had 2 unloaded handguns and handgun ammunition with him. He reportedly said he was on the roof “in a security capacity to ensure the safety of students” at SBHS’s “Snowball Dance.”
The student didn’t express any plans to hurt anyone, according to police, but he was arrested on multiple weapon possession charges.
“The students who spotted the individual and reported it to school administration are to be commended,” Superintendent Jim Schlachter said in a press release. “It’s important for everyone in the school community to watch for unusual situations and report what they see or hear right away.”
John Rasmussen with Gresham Police Dept. said school resource officers are specially trained for these kinds of situations, and know how to handle people in crisis.
“We have an obligation to quickly assess the situation without creating panic,” Rasmussen said. “Something the school resource officer is well adept at doing is remaining calm in situations of violence.”
The student is currently in a juvenile detention center, and his name will not be released because he is a minor. Police say they have not dealt with him in the past.
Anyone with information on the incident should call 503.258.4864.