The Delaware State Police have arrested a 16-year-old male juvenile of Bear, on multiple weapons and drug charges, after it was determined that he was in possession of a firearm while in school, according to Public Information Officer, Corporal/1 Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said the incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2021, at Christiana High School, located at 190 Salem Church Road in Newark, when the juvenile suspect was removed from the classroom for having an odor of marijuana. The juvenile was escorted to the office where school administrators recovered suspected marijuana on his person, according to Hatchell.
After locating suspected marijuana, school administrators performed a search of the juvenile’s backpack and located a loaded handgun, added Hatchell. The School Resource Officer was immediately notified and took possession of the weapon and approximately 4 grams of marijuana. The School Resource Officer conducted a computer inquiry on the weapon and discovered it was stolen.
The juvenile was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with the following:
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Juvenile (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon and Controlled Substance by a Prohibited Juvenile (Felony)
Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School Zone (Felony)
Possession of Marijuana (civil)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (civil)
The juvenile was arraigned in Family Court and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on $51,000.00 secured bail.
Original Post
First State Update has learned that Christiana High School parents received an email from the Christina School District this afternoon.
The email, sent by the district’s public information officer, alerted the parents that a student had been arrested for bringing a weapon to the school. The email did not mention what type of weapon was involved.
The Delaware State Police have not released details surrounding the incident.
Below is the email:
Dear Parents(s) / Guardian(s),
This is a message to inform you that a school administrator was notified that a student may be in possession of a weapon on campus. Upon notification, the administrators and School Resource Officer responded immediately. After conducting a further, examination the student was instantly arrested and escorted away from campus. We are working with the Delaware State Police Department to resolve this matter which requires a proper investigation.
There was never a direct threat to anyone in the building. However, the District and Police Department wants to ensure that you are receiving the correct information.
We encourage parents and guardians to talk to students about the importance of sharing information with adults. We also want to remind students to immediately report any incidences involving student safety on or off-campus to a school administrator.
The District would like to thank our local police for their quick and diligent response as well as their continued support of the District’s efforts to ensure a safe and secure educational environment for our students, faculty and staff members.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Christina School District Public Information Office at 302-552-2670.
Alva Mobley
Public Information Officer