BUCKEYE, Ariz. - The teenager believed to be responsible for the Verrado High School lockout Wednesday was arrested later that day, Buckeye PD said.
Buckeye PD responded to the high school Wednesday morning after two students told administrators that a male teen on their bus had a gun and others were handling the gun.
The school was placed on lockout, meaning nobody could get in, for several hours as police searched the campus. Several students were identified as possibly involved. All were searched and interviewed and no weapon was found.
Police learned the suspect was on campus for a short time that morning but ran out of a campus door and off school property.
Police also found that the teenager was not a Verrado High School student.
Around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, contact was made with a 15-year-old suspect who lives in Phoenix but had been staying in an abandoned home in Buckeye the past few days.
The teen admitted he stole a gun from a vehicle over the weekend and said he got rid of the gun after leaving campus. Police and a K-9 searched the area where he said he ditched it and did not find the gun.
The teen was turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, which processed him for felony burglary.
Buckeye PD says its investigation is ongoing and could lead to more charges given the fact the teen brought the gun on campus.
Aqua Fria School District officials said it will be conducting an internal review of their transportation and campus security policies and procedures in light of the incident, Buckeye PD says.
Buckeye PD had an increased presence at the high school Thursday and it will continue for Friday.
