Timber Creek Student Armed With Loaded Gun Arrested, Faces Felony

A 17-year-old Keller Timber Creek High School student was arrested Thursday and is facing a felony and expulsion after being found on the campus with a loaded gun, school and police say.

According to a letter sent to staff and obtained by NBC 5, school administrators said they received an anonymous tip that a student carried a gun onto campus Thursday.

The school said the report was immediately investigated and that a gun and ammunition were confiscated. The student, whose name and class has not been released, was arrested and removed from campus.

Fort Worth Police confirmed to NBC 5 Thursday afternoon that a school resource officer received a report of a gun on campus at about 11:40 a.m. and soon after located the 17-year-old student who was believed to be armed. The officer confiscated a loaded gun without incident and the juvenile was arrested.

This incident is a reminder of the importance of “See Something, Say Something." The student’s quick and proactive actions and the officer’s quick response prevented a potential tragedy.

Fort Worth Police Department

Police said the teen was arrested on a charge of bringing a weapon into a prohibited place, a third-degree felony. The district said that under federal law the offense requires expulsion.

Administrators did not say what prompted the student to bring the gun to school. They also did not say how much ammunition was brought on campus.

In a subsequent statement released to the media on Thursday afternoon, the district said the anonymous tip was specific and referenced an identifiable student in a known location. The district said a lockdown was not called due to the immediate location and detainment of the student.

"We would like to remind parents that now, more than ever, is a critical time to maintain open lines of communication with your student. Weapons, or items resembling weapons, are never allowed at school," the district said. "Additionally, we encourage you to talk with your student about the importance of reporting any suspicious activity, including someone in possession of what they think may be a weapon, immediately to a teacher, administrator, or another employee."

The school said they are working with the Fort Worth Police Department on the incident.

Timber Creek High School is a school in the Keller Independent School District located in Fort Worth. The school has an enrollment of more than 3,200 students.