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Police arrest Kentridge High student who reportedly had gun on campus | Update

17-year-old boy under investigation for unlawful possession of a firearm and fourth-degree assault

Kent Police arrested a 17-year-old Kentridge High School student for investigation of unlawful possession of a firearm and fourth-degree assault after he reportedly had a gun on campus.

Kent Police provided more details Tuesday, June 18 about the June 12 incident that the Kent Reporter first reported June 13.

Another student reported that the student had a gun to Kent School District security officers at the school, according to an email from Kent Police Assistant Chief Jarod Kasner. A handgun was found on the male suspect.

Officers arrested the boy and booked him into juvenile detention at the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle.

“While there was no direct threat, a weapon was found,” Principal Christa Enrst said in a June 12 email to the Kentridge community that was posted on a social media page by a district resident. “All students and staff remained safe throughout the incident.”

Ernst said that school safety protocols were followed and law enforcement and Kent School District School Safety Services responded to the school at 12430 SE 208th St.

“We thank local law enforcement and Kent School District Safety Services for acting swiftly and decisively to ensure student and staff safety,” Ernst said.

Friday, June 14 was the last day of school in the Kent School District for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Kentridge incident occurred just nine days after a fatal shooting June 3 of Cristopher Medina Zelaya, 18, a Kent-Meridian student. Christopher was fatally shot in the city of Kent’s Campus Park parking lot, which is next to the school campus. As of June 18, Kent Police have not made any arrests and have released few details about the case.

Hazrat Ali Rohani, 17, also a Kent-Meridian student, was fatally shot June 5 outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods Store in Renton. A 51-year-old Newcastle man faces a second-degree murder charge in that case.

Seattle Police are trying to determine who fatally shot a 17-year-old Garfield High School student June 6 on campus.


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