UPDATE: Washington High School student found with loaded gun

By DAVE STEPHENS and MICHAEL WANBAUGH, Tribune Staff Writers

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Willie Deante Johnson arrested for bringing a loaded gun to Washington High School

Willie Deante Johnson, 18, was arrested for bringing a loaded gun to Washington High School on Monday, March 10, 2008. (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — A Washington High School student was arrested Monday, accused of carrying a loaded handgun to class.

Capt. Phil Trent, South Bend police spokesman, said the 18-year-old student had the gun hidden in his clothing. A fellow student spotted the gun and reported it to the classroom teacher just after 1 p.m.

"There was no altercation," Superintendent Robert L. Zimmerman said. "The teacher became aware from another student that the young man had a loaded revolver in the class. The teacher asked him for it, and the student gave it to him."

The teacher then escorted the student to the main office and police were called.

Trent said there is no indication the student threatened anyone at Washington.

“What we’re being told is that the gun was seen on his person by another student,” Trent said. “No threat was made, nor did he ever withdraw the gun from his clothing.”

This is the second incident within the past month involving a Washington student with a gun. On Feb. 12, a 14-year-old student was suspended after he took a 0.25-caliber handgun to school.

That weapon was discovered when the student was questioned about not complying with the school's uniform policy, according to police reports.

The student later pleaded guilty in juvenile court to carrying a handgun in school and will be sentenced April 15, said Bill Bruinsma, director of the Juvenile Justice Center.

Zimmerman said that in both cases the students had recently transferred into the South Bend Community School Corp.

"The last several situations, the kids have only been with us for a short time," Zimmerman said. "We've got to find better ways to deal with these situations."

Friday, Sep 26 at 9:22 AM ok wrote ...

if you all believe any of this story be scared..lol..my child was the witness to all of this and none of this is true...how sad that even the cops and staff at the school are lying about all of this...THATS THE SCARY PART...THEY ARE LYING TO US PARENTS...NO WONDER WHY ARE KIDS ARE ACTING THE WAY THEY DO AT TIMES...WHAT A JOKE AND WHAY A SAD AND VERY UNTRUE STORY...

Wednesday, Sep 24 at 11:52 AM Anonymous wrote ...

So lets get something straight the Admins @ WHS said nothing, no lock down, nothing, hmm. Yet Universities are spending tons of $'s for systems for such an occurrence. Yet a person running around a school with a weapon & a school goes into lock down-Hmm. Am I missing something? Do not want to cause a panic? I see. Imagine the panic had the gun been used-hmm.

Tuesday, Mar 18 at 5:46 PM lorenzo wrote ...

One thing I have noticed that west side has that Penn does is pride in where we come from. Penn you may not have so called crime as the urban area does, but most of your highschool girls are fornicators, drunkards, you male students are the same as well, most of them are big time drug users, not just marijuana, cocaine, x, as well as meth. your students at Penn are the #1 buyers for all drugs in the local area, but I guess that makes your area much better than ours.

Thursday, Mar 13 at 8:44 AM mike wrote ...

Adams grad-take off the blinders. Adams has had it's share of issues as well-they all do sorry Penn parents. Clay had a principal for one year and he cleaned that school up in no time. Got rid of everyone who was not suppose to be there by having the backbone to enforce the rules. My son said it was day and night at the school. But please do not insult the rest of us with the our school is fine-Adams as does the rest of the SBCSC is loaded with gang bangers the corp. just does not deal w/it.

Thursday, Mar 13 at 8:42 AM Anonymous wrote ...

To everyone who say parents are to blame... It may not be parents buying the kid a gun, they can have gang banger friends who are old enough to purchase a weapon to sell to these kids. Parents dont tell their kids to go out buy a gun take it to school, shoot someone, get arrested... no do you think a parent would spend 18 years taking care of this kid and say that? think about this stuff.. I used to go to washington, and there were a lot of people who did try to bully other kids around..

Wednesday, Mar 12 at 1:56 PM Citizen wrote ...

Maybe the WHS administrations policy of having two sets of standards leads to some of the problems. If you are part of the Principal's crew, then you are subject to a whole different set of rules. Did this make the kids bring guns? Probably not, but chaos has a way of breeding chaos. The rosy picture that WHS tries to aint for itself is not a true picture of the state of the school. Until the problems are addressed downtown, nothing will change.

Wednesday, Mar 12 at 9:41 AM Facts are facts, period! wrote ...

OK "west side pride"...in the rare occurance of a weapon appearing at a PHM school, we parents are all notified immediately the same day with letters and emails! It seems that we do NOT have even close to the amount of crimes committed in our schools as you west siders do! I am an Adams grad., and we don't hear anything about these problems happening there either. Facts are facts, Washington High School is a mess! The parents over there are to blame, plain and simple! It is a shame!

Wednesday, Mar 12 at 9:37 AM SCARED wrote ...

MY DAUGHTER GOES TO RILEY AND SHE STATES THAT KIDS BRING GUNS THERE TOO. THE ONLY REASON NONE OF THE OTHER STUDENTS SAY ANYTHING IS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER STATES THEY DON'T WANT TO GET SHOT AT FOR TELLING. SO ITS NOT JUST THE WESTSIDE ITS EVERYWHERE. EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE METAL DETECTORS AND ONE ENTRANCE ONLY TO GET IN

Wednesday, Mar 12 at 7:06 AM Anonymous wrote ...

It is the principals fault. He should have done this from the first incident. He does NOT know how to run a high school. I believe he should be discharged, and a new and better principal put into action. I know a few students at Washington, and I know a few Adults who have had him as a principal, and he is not a very good role model for a student. He is a very prejudice and does not deserve the position of a principal. Even students would be smart enough to put in metal detectors.

Wednesday, Mar 12 at 6:54 AM just a voice wrote ...

Was the kid trying to protect himself? Was he being bullied by some gang bangers, who's to say they won't carry out the threats. What is the underlying root of this problem? Think people! You scream about parents, but a single mother is awarded more money than a married woman if she wants an education. The system that most endorse is pro single parent. Let's get back to 2 parents @ home, we don't agree so we'll end the marriage or Life? All because of a minor disagreement?

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 11:11 PM West Side Pride wrote ...

This is not a West Side problem. It is happening all over. How many guns and drugs do you think they have at Penn? More then they want you to know about. All this is happening because discipline was taken out of the schools. It is also time to hold the parents responsible for their children. Everyone wants to do what they please, but no one wants to be responsible for their actions.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 10:48 PM It is this easy... wrote ...

2words...metal detectors!

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 9:17 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The principal of WHS has done so much to help that school, and it has come a long way.I agree with anonymous 10:35,why is Washington the only SB high school finding guns?Maybe because it is the only school to establish policies that are apparently working.Would you rather a child bring a gun to school and NOT get caught? Don't say that Washington is all about the "west side" and "thugs" last time i checked there was open enrollment throughout SBCSC.Its in every school and not just in SB.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 9:08 PM In the know wrote ...

Apparently Dr. Zimmerman was presented with the idea of metal detectors being placed in schools. He chose not to take that route because he thought the kids would feel "disrespected" and that it would be an invasion of their privacy. This guy needs to WAKE UP.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 9:06 PM Just Me... cont. wrote ...

Just as the system is the way that it is..The parents are the first line of defense!Loving attention giving,guiding parents are the main answer!Geographic's of every city has it's problems in regard to income or lack of.However,what does money have to do with the love/guidance of our children?If half of the people commenting that are on the side of children were to start getting more involved with our schools,becoming more active(myself included)I bet we could make quite the difference!Or..Cont.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 8:58 PM "Just Me..." wrote ...

For the first time in a long time,I see so many good comments,and solutions!I too, have a daughter, in school in Elkhart,so far I think it is a good one,but see it going down hill too!They claim the teachers are not paid enough,yet they are making extremely good money for only working 8-9 months out of the yr.And taking sick days etc.."my child had a play at HER school today",that I had to attend (for example). My daughter has a sub.,more than her own teachers!At the same time...Cont.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 7:41 PM Emily wrote ...

pened a few weeks back. My husband and I just moved here from Fort Wayne and had a baby girl and although she is far from high school I am so nervous to put her in the school systems here. I know something can happen no matter where you live but I have heard nothing but awful things about South Bend Schools. The people of South Bend need to wake up and do something to make the schools and the city a better and most importantly safer place.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 7:38 PM Emily wrote ...

I agree with "parent" and "rusty." Obviously this problem is continuing to happen so something needs to be do by the school officials. Why sit by knowing something really awful could happen and do nothing to help prevent it. Where are these childrens parents? I think it is so sad how out of touch people are with their children now. Not knowing your child has a weapon in your home is just lack of caring. These parents should have been more aware especially considering the incident that hap

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 7:02 PM Concerned Mom wrote ...

I want to commend the student who alerted the teacher of the gun. He or she obviously realizes how dangerous guns are and maybe saved a life. As for a "Washington" problem, it has nothing to do with it. Our young people are bombarded with the glamour of being a "thug." Maybe they need some positive influence.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 6:22 PM Cathal wrote ...

Not everyone was in the gifted class.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 5:18 PM parent wrote ...

washington high will be the next school we read about with a shooting if these idiots that run southbend schools dont do something about this they must not have kids in the school system or they whould do something we should take actions are self as parents add a comment if you feel the same as me

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 3:49 PM Anonymous wrote ...

This is a problem at every school in every district. Yes, that includes Penn. Race, Gender, and socio-economic status are not the only problem. In many schools the problem is people believe it won't happen at their school. Yes, something needs to be done but SBCSC, Washington High School, and the teachers are not the problem...they will be the solution!!

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 12:28 PM KT wrote ...

Next, MARIA, i assume someone will actually fire. They need metal detectors at washington or someting to handle the situation.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 11:50 AM Love it in the burbs... wrote ...

This is repeatedly happening in South Bend because the city is going down the tubes. What I mean is, low life (black, white, hispanic, purple, whatever) is breeding more low life kids! It is all over the city, even in what used to be "good" neighborhoods. I worry about my aging parents safety in River Park, it is getting nasty there as well. I agree, if these thugs like guns so much, ship them off to Irac! Bring our decent people back home!!! Problem solved:)

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 11:35 AM Anonymous wrote ...

CJ, you're right, this could happen anywhere. It's just a lot more likely to happen at Washington.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 8:37 AM SB Mom wrote ...

How can we help these kids if they can't help themselves? They refuse any help given to them because they THINK they are too tough.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 8:11 AM rusty wrote ...

My first question is, "Are this kid's parents in jail too? If not, why? They are just as guilty as he is!! THEY are responsible for his actions! It's way past time that the kids get all the blame! R

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 7:36 AM Anon wrote ...

This isn't about Littleton Colorado, this is about the thug in this city who brought the gun to school. I wonder if we will ever find out where he got the gun.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 7:34 AM GR wrote ...

Not the schools fault. It all starts at home. Everybody should read "Come On People" by Bill Cosby. White, Black, Yellow, Green or Purple, this book is for everybody.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 6:46 AM brian wrote ...

This is a perfect example of parenting at its finest. I am sure he was raised by a single mom, no dad and everyone picked on him. Or could he just be a thug with a grudge. Either way, something has to be done. Congrats on the teacher. Maybe that should be taught as a class in college, how to disarm students. You already, babysit, parent, teach morals, sex ed, drug ed, reading and the list goes on, why not add disarming morans as well. Teachers should be called parent/teachers.

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 5:35 AM observe wrote ...

it's not all about where your at or where your from this is happening even in the best of schools the problem is these kids are losing their parents to life sentences in prison and a lot of foster parents aren't in it because they care about the child they are in it for the money and benefits. and our young people are just let to do what ever they need counseling, support groups, etc. because their hurt builds into rage and the smallest word can turn into a war. HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

Tuesday, Mar 11 at 12:17 AM CJ wrote ...

As horrible as this situation is, I greatly resent the comments equating this to a "West side"; "Washington" problem with "Thugs". Ask the people of Littleton, a middle-class suburban high school what happened there. This is a nationwide problem in our schools dealing with GUNS, not merely the fault of one individual!!!

Monday, Mar 10 at 11:50 PM A PHM Parent wrote ...

It is time for ALL of our high schools, and possibly middle schools, to install metal detectors! This is all getting way out of hand. I am scared to send my son to school every morning. I can't believe what this world is turning into!!! Scares me...

Monday, Mar 10 at 10:29 PM Paul B. wrote ...

as barbaric as it may seem ,maby it is time for metal decteres at schools may be the answrer?

Monday, Mar 10 at 10:26 PM LW wrote ...

This hapeening again on the west side...shocking! If I had a student going to Wahington, I would pull them out! Home school, private school, whatever it takes. People, save you kids from the animals!!!

Monday, Mar 10 at 10:01 PM D wrote ...

Mr Zimmerman would you like to say something?

Monday, Mar 10 at 9:45 PM Jan wrote ...

...and Luecke thinks the SBCSC deserves to not have funding cut? It ought to be dismantled.

Monday, Mar 10 at 9:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

This is NOT a Washington thing. If you don't think there are weapons like this at the other local high schools you are delusional. Congrats to WHS for having policies in place that have allowed teachers to catch the two students so far. If anything, we should wonder why Washington is the only school correctly identifying the students carrying guns.

Monday, Mar 10 at 9:31 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Maybe SBCSC should get a principal that can run Washington the way it should be run!

Monday, Mar 10 at 9:19 PM amazed wrote ...

People should learn how to spell before leaving comments. Maybe the people leaving comments couldn't learn to spell because they were in an SB school with thugs.

Monday, Mar 10 at 9:01 PM Cathal wrote ...

Maybe this is why there are more homeschoolers every year. In 20 or 30 years, mass schools will be day care centers for the emotionally disturbed.

Monday, Mar 10 at 8:42 PM C wrote ...

This comment is for D: why are you asking the SBCSC for answers? Why don't you ask the parents of the children that bring the weapons to school what's going on? These children have to get the weapons from somewhere, and I'm pretty sure it's not our local schools that are handing them out!

Monday, Mar 10 at 8:15 PM Taxpayer wrote ...

What's going on is "free public education" at its finest! South Bend is being infiltrated by indivduals like this young man...thugs! (By the way: Did anyone catch the "teacher disarmed the student" part of the story? Since when is that part of a teacher's job description??) It doesn't pay to be a taxpayer/homeowner in this town. It's sickening what's happening to this community! Schools are a microcosm of society, after all...

Monday, Mar 10 at 7:05 PM Maria wrote ...

Wow Its Crazy! First It Was A Student Bring A Gun To School A Few weeks Ago, Now Another Student Bring A Load Gun To School. Whats Goin To Be Next?

Monday, Mar 10 at 7:03 PM D wrote ...

SBCSC we want answers! What the hech is going on?

Monday, Mar 10 at 6:26 PM Close down that hellhole wrote ...

That school is so rampant with thugs and wannabe gang bangers who make a serious education nearly impossible for alot of students.

Monday, Mar 10 at 5:20 PM Just Me wrote ...

And just think my 6 year daughter wonted to go to this school so she can hang with want to be thugs

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