An Anchorage student was arrested Monday after he was found in possession of marijuana and a gun, police said.
Staff at Benny Benson Secondary School told a school resource officer around 9 a.m. Monday about a student in possession of marijuana, the Anchorage Police Department said in a statement.
“When the officer was interviewing the student regarding the marijuana possession, that’s when the officer discovered the gun. He was immediately arrested on site,” according to Kendra Doshier, a police spokeswoman.
The student had a handgun, Doshier said. The school resource officer immediately took the gun from the student, police said.
The student was arrested and taken to the McLaughlin Youth Center. Charges were forwarded to the Division of Juvenile Justice. Police have not released the student’s name.
“Bringing a weapon onto school property is illegal and poses an immediate public safety threat,” police said.
Benny Benson Secondary School is a vocational education program for high school students in the Anchorage School District. Students behind in credits can attend the school to catch up.
Catherine Esary, school district spokeswoman, said she didn’t have information Monday about where the gun was found. She referred questions about the arrest to police.
Citing an ongoing police investigation, Doshier declined to say Monday where the gun was found, how much marijuana the student had and where he was keeping the marijuana. Doshier said the department doesn’t release the exact ages of minors.
The school did not go into lockdown or stay-put mode Monday, Doshier said.