Arlington High student who brought gun to school may return to campus, parents launch petition against it

Slightly more than 18 months after a student carried a weapon on the premises of Arlington High School, that same student may be permitted back on school grounds when classes start Sept. 3.

The then-14-year-old boy was charged with a felony in February 2024 after classmates reported he brought a handgun to school. The gun had one round in the chamber, the safety was off, and he brought an additional loaded magazine.

Once it was reported, he was removed from Arlington High School by law enforcement. However, since the ordeal is not yet finalized and the investigation remains ongoing, the student may be able to return to campus. Federal law requires the district to provide the option for him to return, Arlington Public Schools District spokesman Gary Sabol told KING 5, as every student is entitled to an education.

State and federal privacy laws also prevent the district from notifying families. Parents will not be informed whether the student returns to campus or not. If the student does return to the school, a staff member will be required to monitor him at all times. The student will also be barred from carrying a backpack and will be subjected to daily searches.

KIRO hosts weigh in on situation

“You don’t think that the students should go back to that particular school?” KIRO host Ursula Reutin asked her co-host, Gee Scott, on Monday.

“Absolutely not,” Gee answered. “Here’s why. If this child is allowed to go back to school, that sets a precedent for the next child who’s thinking, ‘Hey, I wonder if I should just take this gun to school.’ Whether they’re taking that gun for violence or to show off, there is something wrong. And so for them to allow this, basically what they are saying to every child in that area that goes to that school is, ‘It’s OK. You can bring one too. Nothing’s going to happen.'”

Parents have started a petition to block the student’s re-entry to the campus. It has nearly 1,300 signatures, as of Monday morning. Parents argued that the student should be limited to online classes only.

“The best thing would be that he has an online education, because he does deserve the right to still continue to learn, and you don’t want you know one mistake to mean he is banned from an education for the rest of his life,” Ursula said. “However, again, what should be paramount is the safety of the students at Arlington High School.”

The school board will discuss the situation during an Aug. 25 meeting at district headquarters.

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