Texas City High School Student Arrested for Bringing Handgun to Campus

TEXAS CITY, TX, September 18, 2023 – A 16-year-old student from Texas City High School was arrested on Monday morning following an anonymous tip alerting authorities to the presence of a handgun on campus, according to school district officials.

The tip facilitated a swift response, enabling the quick location and arrest of the student without any incident, said Melissa Tortorici, the Texas City Independent School District (ISD) Communications Director. Due to the immediate action taken, the district did not find it necessary to activate a security alert.

Given that the individual is below the age of 17, classified as a juvenile, both the school district and law enforcement are limited in the details they can legally release, including the student’s identity.

However, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for law enforcement protection at Texas City ISD campuses in both Texas City and La Marque, has the jurisdiction to investigate if an adult facilitated the juvenile’s access to the firearm.

The pending charges hinge upon various circumstances such as whether the handgun was loaded and the manner in which it was accessed, potentially leading to a Class C misdemeanor at most. More serious charges could only be brought forward if the weapon had been discharged or if there had been injuries resulting from gunfire.

Officials continue to investigate the details surrounding the event, working meticulously to unravel the full scope of the incident. Stay tuned for future updates as authorities work to keep schools safe and secure environments for all students.