Arlington High student who brought gun will not return to campus, district says

After students and parents of Arlington High School were told a student who previously brought a gun to the school could be allowed back on campus, the district ruled that the student will not return for in-person classes this upcoming school year.

The school board discussed the situation during a meeting held earlier this week at district headquarters. District representatives stated that they had met with the student in question and his family prior to the meeting, with all parties agreeing that he would not return to Arlington High School.

“The student will not be returning to Arlington High School this fall,” the district said in a statement to KIRO 7. “We are still working with the family on placement.”

The school year starts Sept. 3.

The then-14-year-old male student 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.

Federal law requires the district to provide the option for the student to be able to return, 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 student 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 started a petition to block the student’s re-entry to the campus. It finished with nearly 1,350 signatures before the petition declared “victory.” 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.”

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