Student caught with gun in backpack at Cibola High School

A student was arrested at Cibola High School on Wednesday for carrying a gun in their backpack, according to a letter from the principal to the school community.

The student, whose age and identity were not released, faces criminal charges, according to the letter, as well as discipline from the district. Albuquerque Public Schools policy requires that students found with guns on campus be expelled for at least one year.

School staff found out about the gun, a loaded Glock 19, after being tipped off by another student, district spokeswoman Monica Armenta said.

Principal Kimberly Finke said in the letter that authorities are investigating where the gun came from and why the student brought it to school.

She said that “to our knowledge, no direct threats were made to anyone by the student arrested,” but asked parents to “please talk with your student about the severe consequences of carrying a weapon onto a school campus and the grave dangers associated with mishandling weapons.”

The incident comes less than a week after deputies say 16-year-old Elijah Pohl-Morfin was shot and killed while playing with guns with another teen in the parking lot of Atrisco Heritage Academy High School. Adrian Martinez, also 16, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in Pohl-Morfin’s death.

The gun confiscated Wednesday at Cibola appears to be the ninth firearm seized or reported on APS campuses this school year, though the district couldn’t immediately confirm that number.

That’s more or less on pace with last school year, when the district was at eight guns seized or reported as of Dec. 14, 2022.