Schools · Southwest Las Vegas
Student arrested at Desert Oasis High School after administrators find gun on campus, CCSD confirms
A Desert Oasis High School student was arrested Tuesday for bringing a gun to campus, KTNV reported. It follows a similar case at Green Valley High that led some parents to call for metal detectors.
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What happened at Desert Oasis High
A student at Desert Oasis High School in southwest Las Vegas was arrested Tuesday for bringing a gun onto campus, KTNV Channel 13 reported. The Clark County School District confirmed the arrest through an email from Principal Ian Salzman.
According to school officials, administrators found the gun and CCSD police were "quickly contacted," after which the student was arrested. In his message, Salzman said, "There were no direct threats to students or staff."
What a student saw
A student who spoke with KTNV off camera said the incident happened outside the school as students were leaving for the day. That student said the student involved was tackled before getting into the school. "I was a bit worried, because what if he made it in?" the student told the station.
How families were told
Amber Anderson, who has two children at Desert Oasis, told KTNV she learned about the arrest from a school email that arrived around 4 p.m. Tuesday. She said she was glad no one was hurt. She also questioned why a student would bring a firearm to school if there was no plan behind it.
What the school is asking of parents
The school asked parents to remind their students about the CCSD Code of Conduct and to talk with their children about telling an adult when they notice concerning behavior. Salzman said violating the code can lead to disciplinary action and that parents will be involved if their child breaks those expectations. He added that "appropriate disciplinary action" will be taken for the student involved in this case.
A pattern of weapons cases on CCSD campuses
The arrest follows a similar incident at Green Valley High School earlier this month, KTNV reported. That case led some parents to call for stronger safety measures, including installing metal detectors on campus. More coverage of the district is available in our schools section.
What the district's numbers show
CCSD's most recent firearms confiscation report shows two handguns have been confiscated on school property since the start of the school year, according to KTNV. One was taken at Green Valley High and the other from a student at Marion B. Earl Elementary School. The Desert Oasis case has not yet been added to that report.
Counting both on and off school property, police have confiscated at least 15 guns since July 8, the station reported. School police have also seized three BB or air guns on school campuses since Aug. 10, along with 12 knives.
How to report a concern
Students can share safety concerns through CCSD's SafeVoice reporting system. Reports can be made by calling 1-833-216-SAFE (7233) or online at safevoicenv.org. For other local safety news, see our public safety coverage.
What to watch next
- Whether the Desert Oasis gun appears in CCSD's firearms confiscation report, which KTNV said does not yet include it.
- What disciplinary action the school takes, after Salzman said appropriate action will be taken.
- How the district responds to parent calls for metal detectors that followed the Green Valley High School incident.
