Loaded ghost gun found in Santa Rosa student's school locker: police

(KRON) -- The Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) said a 16-year-old male student at Montgomery High School was arrested after a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” was found in his locker. The firearm contained two rounds of ammunition, one of which was in the chamber, police said.

SRPD reported learning of the situation Thursday at 6:30 a.m. from a school administrator who received an anonymous tip about a student possessing a handgun. Investigators said no threats were made to use the gun.

Police identified the student and spoke with him and a parent at their home. Officers searched the student’s backpack and two school lockers but did not find a firearm, and the student was allowed to return to class.

At 11:15 a.m. Friday, school administrators contacted police again, saying an alert teacher had confiscated a loaded gun from the same student after noticing suspicious behavior. The teacher approached the student after observing him blocking the view of items he was placing in his locker. School officials detained the student until police arrived.

A “ghost gun” is a privately manufactured firearm that is unregistered and lacks serial numbers.

The 16-year-old was booked into Juvenile Hall and faces charges of possession of a firearm on school grounds, possession of an unregistered firearm, and being a minor in possession of a firearm.

Police said further searches of two residences tied to the teen did not uncover any additional evidence.