Fort Worth student found with handgun arrested near Polytechnic High School

A Fort Worth student was arrested near Polytechnic High School with a semi-automatic handgun Wednesday — an apprehension that took place after a school resource officer acted on a tip from students and staff, according to Fort Worth police.

The student, a male juvenile, was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a gun free zone, according to police spokesman Buddy Calzada.

No one else was arrested in the case.

A letter to Polytechnic High School parents outlined the arrest.

“Shortly after noon and acting on a tip, police stopped and searched a student who had parked his car across the street,” Principal Nick Torrez stated in the letter.

During the search officers found a handgun and detained the student, according to police.

The letter states that the student will be subject to school policy and laws governing weapons in gun free zones near schools.

“I am proud of our students and staff for implementing the safety procedures and protocols effectively,” Torrez stated. “No students or staff were harmed.”

Clint Bond, spokesman for Fort Worth schools, said the district is not releasing the identity of the student because he is a juvenile.

This week’s arrest is the second incident near Polytechnic High Schools that involved students getting arrested with a weapon.

“It is always very concerning when students resort to a threat of violence,” Bond said. “However, knowing that students and staff were prepared with the proper responses to each situation is notice that such behavior will not be tolerated in our schools.”

Tobi Jackson, president of the Fort Worth school board, said security is always a priority.

“Poly high school and Polytechnic Heights are going to become extremely inhospitable to guns and smash and grab crimes and even more hospitable and welcoming to families, neighbors and community involvement,” said Jackson, who represents District 2, which includes Poly.

On Sept. 11, three Polytechnic High School students were arrested after police received a call about someone entering the school with a gun, police said.The students, all minors, had allegedly just robbed an individual on Avenue J, Bond told the Star-Telegram at the time.

This story was originally published October 4, 2018 at 1:02 PM.