ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Police charged three teens each accused of bringing a gun to school over the last week, according to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office.

A 16-year-old is accused of bringing a gun to West Mesa High School on Friday, while a 17-year-old is accused of bringing a gun to Del Norte High School on Monday.

A judge will determine if they will stay behind bars until trial. Their hearings are set for this Wednesday.

A 15-year-old is also accused of bringing a gun to school. It happened on Thursday at Valley High School. On Monday, a judge released the teen from custody.

KOB 4 reached out to Albuquerque Public Schools. They sent us this letter sent to Del Norte families after the incident Monday:

“Dear Del Norte High School Community,

I am writing to address a highly concerning incident that unfolded on our campus today. We received a report that a student was carrying a handgun on campus. When APS police and the school resource officer attempted to detain the student, he ran down the hallway, exited the building and fled off campus.

APS police pursued him across Montgomery Boulevard and into a nearby business parking lot, where he was apprehended. During a subsequent search of the area, police located the firearm in a nearby bush.

Let me be clear: the possession of any weapon, particularly a gun, on school grounds is a violation of our rules and regulations. This incident warrants severe consequences for the student involved, up to and including expulsion and potential prosecution.

I want to acknowledge the swift response and efforts made by the Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department in de-escalating the situation and detaining the student involved. Their prompt action helped mitigate the threat.

Bringing a firearm to school is unacceptable. It endangers the lives of our students and staff and creates a major disruption of the education environment that is so critical to the success of every student at our school.

It is imperative that all members of our community remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Every reported threat, no matter how seemingly insignificant, will be treated with utmost seriousness. 

Should you have any concerns or questions, please contact us at 505-883-7222. It is crucial that we work together to address these issues.

Thank you for your understanding. We are committed to the safety and success of our students and staff. Together, we can overcome these challenges and ensure a secure environment for everyone within our school community.

Sincerely,

Mark Ramirez, Assistant Principal, Del Norte High School”