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

Story Created: Mar 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM EST

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."

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