Freshman admits bringing a gun onto the LGHS campus

14-year-old boy is suspended pending an expulsion process

By Michelle Alaimo

With the eyes of the world still riveted on Littleton, Colo., an incident at Los Gatos High School that might never have come to light had it not been for the shooting spree at Columbine High has now surfaced.

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department and school officials are reporting that a 14-year-old freshman has admitted to bringing a gun to the LGHS campus three months ago.

The incident came to light on April 26 after a parent called the police and told a 911 dispatcher that her daughter heard from a student that he had brought a gun to school. Upon further investigation, police officials say, they learned that other students had heard of a boy who had brought a gun to school some time since Christmas.

Sgt. Michael Barbieri stressed that no one has seen the gun, but police have determined, based on a description by the boy, that the gun does exist and that it belongs to his family.

The boy has even admitted to bringing the gun to school for one day, and he said that the gun was loaded, Barbieri said. However, he could not comment on what the boy told police about bringing the gun onto campus, because the investigation is ongoing. The police department has determined that the boy had no plans to harm anyone at the school, according to Barbieri, who noted that the boy's parents have been cooperative throughout the investigation.

Barbieri said the incident probably would not have come to light if had not been for the recent Columbine High School shootings in Littleton.

Many students who heard the boy tell of the gun told their parents who in turn informed the police and the school.

"Littleton has everyone looking at the situation extremely closely," Assistant Principal Craig Heimbichner said. "We're concerned for the young man and would like to see him get some help but at the same time, we are concerned for the safety of other students here."

Now the school and police must determine what to do about the incident. Barbieri said the District Attorney's office will review it to determine whether to bring charges.

Heimbichner said the boy has been suspended pending an expulsion process. He said it is up to the principal to recommend the expulsion, which in turn goes to Superintendent Cynthia Ranii. She must decide whether to forward the expulsion to a hearing panel, which then makes a recommendation to the board, which must make the final decision.

While the school and board have many options available to them regarding expulsion, Heimbichner said according to state law, an expulsion can last no more than one year.

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