Handgun found in trash can at Chaparral Middle School

Disciplinary measures are being discussed for a Chaparral Middle School student who took a handgun to the school Tuesday, confirmed a spokesperson for the Gadsden Independent School District.

The spokesperson said around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, a teacher at the school received information that there might be a weapon on campus brought by a student. After a long search and no evidence found, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office was called in to assist with the investigation.

School officials said deputies immediately responded and interviewed a student who located the unloaded weapon in the back of the school’s playground. The spokesperson said an unloaded .22 caliber pistol was found in a trash can near the football field.

The students were safe in a modified lockdown during the investigation and during the whole day due to testing. Officials said staff and parents were notified in the appropriate time as per district and school guidelines.

Disciplinary measures against the student are not subject to disclosure due to the age of student.