Gun and Ammo Found at Rio Hondo High School

[Johnny 5]

Tragedy was averted at Rio Hondo High School. It went on lockdown for a brief period today after a gun and bullets were found on campus.

And while it sounds dangerous, campus police swiftly moved in without students knowing a thing.

For the first time in at least a decade a gun turns up inside the walls of Rio Hondo High School.

Campus police say they found a semi-automatic weapon inside a student's backpack. The clip is loaded, but not attached at the time.

Fear and panic, they're 2 words you'd think would come to mind during a school lockdown. Students afraid their lives could be in jeopardy, but the staff at Rio Hondo High School takes a very unique approach.

Claria Buddle was in her 10th grade biology class and told us what she heard, "The cafeteria didn't have enough food, so they just said to stay in class."

It's was a diversion, a tactic to keep the students out of the hallways while the school goes silently on lockdown.

Campus police hunted down the student in question following a tip. The ordeal ended without an incident. The juvenile suspect was arrested and the lockdown lifted. The whole thing took 30 minutes.

Police commend the staff for helping to avert a tragedy.

The school district sent home a letter with students describing the situation for parents. It briefly detailed how everything is under control.



Students couldn't agree more.

"They caught him before he could do anything so I don't think he could have done anything!" exclaimed Claria.

The male student in question is facing a weapons charge. He was taken to a juvenile detention center shortly after his arrest.

Meanwhile, here's what the school district is saying about the incident today. In a letter to parents, administrators say "Today our police officers received a tip that a student was in possession of a handgun. We activated emergency procedures and apprehended the student. The student was immediately taken into custody, and the handgun was confiscated. We assure you that the student will be adjudicated and will no longer be on campus."

This latest lockdown brings the total number this school year alone to three Valley-wide, this in just three weeks.

The first lockdown was at Progreso High School after a man threatened to kill a teacher right in front of her students. Police later arrested the man who made the threats.

The second was at Liberty School in Pharr after an anonymous caller reported a weapon was on campus. After an intense search no weapon was found.

Link (http://www.kgbt4.com/Global/story.asp?S=7071994)

Video (http://www.krgv.com/Video/News/979568.wvx)

[footballgal]

Whaaaat? First the teacher, now a student. That's just scary!:(

That's it I am not moving to Rio Hondo.

[Phil C]

Originally posted by footballgal
Whaaaat? First the teacher, now a student. That's just scary!:(

That's it I am not moving to Rio Hondo.

Well after all Port Isabel is just across the bridge from South Padre Island where Pelican West have their place just south of the Raddison Hotel.

[luvhoops34]

What happened with the teacher at Rio Hondo?

[TarponFanInNorthTexas]

Originally posted by Phil C
Well after all Port Isabel is just across the bridge from South Padre Island where Pelican West have their place just south of the Raddison Hotel.

:hand:

[footballgal]

http://www.team4news.com/

click on RH HS lockdown


Teacher:

Junior high teacher to lose job due to arrest
By EDWINA P. GARZA/VALLEY MORNING STAR
September 10, 2007 - 10:41PM
RIO HONDO — A junior high school teacher will lose his job following his arrest by Harlingen police last month.

Stephen Lucas who worked for the district for almost 20 years was arrested Aug. 17 by Harlingen police. He is charged with three counts of deadly conduct, two counts of making terroristic threats, one count of unlawfully carrying of a weapon and one count of evading arrest with a motor vehicle, according to previous reports.

School board members Monday authorized the superintendent and school district’s attorney to begin the procedure of terminating Lucas, who teaches science to seventh and eighth grade students.

“The board has authorized action that will ensure that our school children will have no further contact with Mr. Lucas,” Superintendent Anneliese McMinn said in a statement during the school board meeting. “The terms of his resignation and departure from the district are being negotiated by counsel.”

McMinn and school board trustees declined to elaborate on their unanimous vote.
Lucas had been suspended with pay following his arrest, McMinn said before the meeting.
Lucas was not present at the meeting, but was represented by his attorney John “Roca” Shergold.

“Mr. Lucas has taught in the Rio Hondo ISD for nearly 20 years with distinction,” said Shergold, Lucas’ attorney, in a prepared statement. “Mr. Lucas is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Air Force and believes, like most Americans, in the presumption of innocence.

“Mr. Lucas appreciates the friends and positive relationships he made over the years at Rio Hondo ISD and has always had the best interest of his students as his number one priority.”


http://www.valleymorningstar.com/common/printer/view.php?db=vmstar&id=9771