Katy ISD Police have arrested a Taylor High School student after they found him with a loaded handgun on campus.
The arrest came Friday after a student made Taylor High administrators aware of a rumor circulating around the campus that a student had a gun.
School district police were notified and, during a search of the male student’s belongings, the loaded pistol was found.
Neither the name of the student, nor his grade, has been released.
Taylor High Principal David Kendler notified parents of the incident via the school’s e-News system Friday afternoon.
“I regret to have to bring to your attention an incident that happened on campus today. This afternoon, a student informed campus administration that they had heard a rumor of another student bringing a weapon to school,” Kendler said in the message. “Campus administrators immediately began an investigation, identified the suspected student, and with the assistance of Katy ISD police took possession of a pistol, which was loaded. The student was then taken into police custody.”
Kendler went on to say the district was taking “appropriate disciplinary action.”
“We have contacted the student’s parents and are dealing with this issue in the proper manner and will be taking the appropriate disciplinary action. We will continue to look into this matter,” Kendler said.
He did not say what type of disciplinary action was being considered or whether the student would face criminal charges.
Kendler went on to thank the student who brought the gun rumor to administrators’ attention, and encouraged parents to use the incident as a “teachable moment” with their children.
“I am also thankful for the student who first alerted us to the fact that there was a weapon on campus. Students are often the first line of defense when it comes to keeping our school safe as they often have first-hand knowledge about what their classmates are doing,” Kendler said. “I ask that you use this incident today as a teachable moment with your child to help confirm with them the important role they play in keeping our school safe.”
He added the safety of students was paramount at Taylor.
“Understandably, a weapon on campus is a concern to all of us. With your help, we can succeed in our commitment to maintaining a safe, secure and conducive learning environment for your child,” the message concluded.
