Superintendent speaks after a 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly pointing a firearm at North Monterey County Middle School

CASTROVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON JAN. 24, 2024 AT 4:18 p.m: The North Monterey County Unified School District Interim Superintendent said the suspect that pointed the firearm at North Monterey County Middle School wasn't a student at the school.

Scary moments this week for North Monterey County Middle School staff and students. The school forced to lock down Tuesday afternoon after a teenage boy allegedly pointed a firearm at the school.

The North Monterey County Unified School District Interim Superintendent Steve Betando said it was some students who alerted staff.

"They immediately alerted the teacher, who then alerted the principal, who then called the school resource officer who was on campus doing supervision on the grounds. who also called 911." said Betando

In a matter of seconds, the district said law enforcement officers arrived on scene and after 15 minutes they were able to arrest the suspect.

"Throughout the United States there's hundreds of these types of incidents happening every year," said Bretando, "And we need to take each one of them because they are unique, look at them, and see how we make ourselves better at responding, protection and security measures."

Betando said a staff meeting will be held at the middle school today, where teachers will talk about the incident, and offer any suggestions to increase security at the school.

North Monterey County Unified has one school resource officer assigned from the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

The district said they contacted families about what specific services are available.
If you have a child attending the school you can also contact the school if you didn't receive that information.

13-year-old boy arrested after allegedly having a loaded handgun in his possession near North Monterey County Middle School, deputies say

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a 13-year-old boy was arrested after allegedly having a loaded handgun near North Monterey County Middle School on Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies said that around 1:23 p.m. they received reports of a male who was pointing a handgun off-campus towards North Monterey County Middle School on 10301 Seymour Street.

Deputies said that the students let their teacher know about what they saw and the teacher reported the incident to administration.

Investigators said that the school resource officer who was on-campus let deputites know that the suspect involved was a 13-year-old boy.

Deputies were able to locate the boy just a few blocks away from the campus and allegedly recovered a loaded handgun.

The 13-year-old boy was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Juvenile Center on multiple weapons charges, threats and violation of juvenile probation.

Deputies said that it is believed that the 13-year-old boy acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to the school or any student.

If anyone was any information regarding the incident, you are asked to contact Deputy Rodrigo Lopez at 831-755-3718.

North Monterey County Middle School shelter-in-place lifted, deputies arrest a male juvenile

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the North Monterey County Middle School has lifted a shelter-in-place after students reportedly saw a juvenile with a weapon.

Investigators said that the school was put in a shelter-in-place around 1:20 p.m. after multiple students allegedly saw a juvenile with a weapon. Deputies said that the students let their teacher know about what they saw and the teacher reported the incident to the administration.

North Monterey County Unified School District did notify parents about the shelter-in-place.

Deputies said that the school was in a shelter-in-place until they arrested a male juvenile. The shelter-in-place was lifted around 1:30 p.m.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said it is unknown if the juvenile was a student at the school or had a prior connection to the school. Deputies said that the incident is under investigation.

Deputies said that all students and staff are safe at the school.