Juvenile arrested in connection with gun, ammunition and mask discovered at Aptos High School

"The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that it had arrested a juvenile in connection with the alarming find that occurred Sunday, and noted that the items may be tied to another incident that unfolded near campus weeks earlier. The firearm and ammunition were found together in a bag, while the mask was located near the bag. According to a Sheriff's Office release,"

"Sheriff's Office Lt. Chris Shearer added in a video message posted on social media that the incident allegedly involved a group of juveniles assaulting another juvenile and, while firearms were present, none were discharged. The 72-hour investigation led to the identification of a suspect and an arrest was made, according to the release. None of the students involved in the winter break altercation are students at Aptos High School, Shearer noted."

"Because of the proximity and surrounding circumstances, investigators now believe there is a strong probability that the firearm located Sunday is connected to the winter break assault. However, we are not ruling out any other possibilities, Shearer added in the video. That is why our detectives are continuing to pursue every lead and have expedited the forensic examination of the firearm."

Law enforcement arrested a juvenile three days after a firearm, ammunition and a mask were discovered on Aptos High School campus. The firearm and ammunition were in a bag with the mask nearby. Investigators linked the items to a physical altercation near campus during the district's Dec. 22–Jan. 9 winter break when a group of juveniles allegedly assaulted another juvenile and firearms were present but none were discharged. A 72-hour investigation identified a suspect and resulted in an arrest. None of the juveniles in the winter incident are students at Aptos High. Detectives are pursuing leads and expediting forensic testing. The sheriff's office and the district implemented campus searches and safety measures, including a bomb-detection K-9 team.

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