FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Monday, December 1, at approximately 11:57 AM, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detectives responded to Fort Mohave Elementary School after school staff alerted authorities that a student had brought a weapon to school. Prior to law enforcement’s arrival, school administrators removed the student from the classroom and secured the weapon.

An investigation determined that an 8-year-old male student was in possession of a loaded handgun. The child displayed the weapon to several other students and then passed it to another student. An uninvolved student overheard the danger and immediately informed the principal, prompting swift action to remove the student and weapon from the classroom area.

Interviews were conducted with the 8-year-old student, his parent, and the second student who took possession of the firearm. The interviews revealed that a threat was made against a teacher while the 8-year-old was in possession of the weapon. As a result, the child was arrested and transported to Mohave County Juvenile Detention Center. He faces charges including Misconduct Involving Weapons, Disorderly Conduct, Minor in Possession of a Firearm, Interfering with an Educational Institution, and Threatening/Intimidating, each being felony offenses.

At this time, authorities have not confirmed how the child obtained the weapon. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are determining if charges will be filed against the second student for possible involvement in the incident.