Southfield Student Removed From School for Possessing Gun

A Southfield student was removed from school and taken into police custody Thursday for possessing a handgun.

Officials say another student informed the school that a 17-year-old had been carrying the weapon for weeks at Southfield Regional Academic Campus. A student resource officer found the loaded handgun.

Southfield Chief of Police Elvin Barren says the department is following up on all threats.

“There was no indication that there was any type of potential copycat situation or any type of threats to the school, but rather a poor decision from this young man to not only carry a weapon, but to carry a weapon on school property. This incident, like any other incident, will be taken seriously,” Barren said. 

The superintendent of Southfield Public Schools immediately informed parents, teachers and students about the incident.

The Southfield police have submitted a warrant request to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to charge the 17-year old with one count of carrying a concealed weapon.

Barren commended the student who reported the gun to school officials.

“Continue to understand it’s very important. If you see something, say something, we have to know if there’s a potential for danger inside of the school,” Barren said.

The incident comes the same day when more than a dozen local public school districts closed Thursday due to threats of violence circulating on social media and after Tuesday’s mass shooting at Oxford High School that killed four students and wounded several others.