The Southfield district is considering installing metal detectors in schools after a shooting incident

Thanks to Southfield A&T High School students alerting security forces, a student was arrested for reportedly bringing a loaded gun to school.

Photo by Patricia O'Blenes

SOUTHFIELD – Southfield Police Department school resource officers were notified at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 that students had notified school security that a student was in possession of a firearm at Southfield A&T High School in the 24000 block of Lahser Road.

The school was placed on lockdown while officers located a 15-year-old student in the toilet and arrested him. A loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber rifle was reportedly found and removed from the student's waistband.

Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said at the Sept. 17 news conference that the student was a Detroit resident who had conflicts with other Detroit teenagers in a different school district. The student reportedly stated that he was carrying the loaded gun for protection.

“But let me be very clear about this excuse. When it comes to carrying weapons of any kind – in this case for a teenager, but also for adults – carrying a weapon on school grounds is unforgivable. I'll say it again. It's unforgivable. “Too many things are happening in our country when it comes to these guns and irresponsible people owning them,” Barren said.

“Although in this case there was no indication that he would use the weapon to harm these students, how about accidental shootings? What about the fact that just recently individuals were arguing and then that argument escalated into a shooting? Why? Because the gun is in their possession. For these reasons, when we talk about the importance of properly securing your weapon, we speak of zero tolerance on school grounds.”

The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office charged the student on Sept. 17 with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting and obstructing, and possessing a weapon in a gun-free school zone.

Barren praised the students who told school resource officers that their classmate was armed.

“So these are the reasons why we are encouraging our children in schools again to say something when you see something. Report. In this case it worked and here too we are happy with the result, but here too responsibility is our next step.”

James Jackson, chief of staff for Southfield Public Schools, said protecting the 1,500 students at A&T is a priority and that the district is considering installing metal detectors at schools.

“School safety is one of our top priorities and through our recently passed capital bond, reviewing our safety infrastructure was a priority and so our plan over the next few years was to improve our infrastructure to improve it.” “With recent events changing, we are trying to tighten up that timeline, but I don't have any specifics yet on that timeline,” he said.