PHOENIX, Arizona — A Madison Rose Lane Elementary School student was caught trying to bring a gun to school Monday, according to the Phoenix Police Department. School officials said thanks to the efforts of the school bus driver the gun never made it on campus.
Around 7:30 a.m., the driver was alerted to a student with a gun on the bus, according to school officials. The driver pulled over, secured the firearm, and was met by school officials when they arrived at the campus located near 7th Street and Bethany Home Road. Once the weapon was secured by school officials Phoenix police were contacted, and detectives are now assuming the investigation.
Phoenix police said the parents are cooperating with the investigation but can’t release how the child came into possession of the gun.
In a letter sent home to parents, school officials said the campus didn’t require a lockdown due to the threat being under control. The school also urged parents to practice safe storage of firearms and other dangerous items to ensure children do not have access to them.
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“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
Mesa
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The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.