Colorado high school student accused of bringing a loaded gun into Overland High School

A high school student in Aurora is facing charges after he was accused of bringing a loaded gun into Overland High School on Wednesday morning. Cherry Creek Schools says district security at the school tackled the teenager in a hallway. Aurora police say it's not clear how the teen got the gun.

Aurora police said the investigation began just after 8:40 a.m. when the 16-year-old was spotted with a gun in the hallways of the high school. 

That's when investigators said someone noticed the weapon and pointed it out to staff members. The district said a member of the security team chased the student, tackled him, apprehended him, and recovered the weapon. School security then contacted local law enforcement.

Students told CBS Colorado it was a chaotic scene before the suspect was taken into custody. 

"It was bad, people started running and screaming and there was a lot going on," said one student.  

According to the district and investigators, the school was immediately put on lockdown which was then downgraded to hold and then finally normal operations following the incident. 

No one was injured and no shots were fired, according to police. 

Gabriel Taylor, 17 years old, was filling up his water bottle when he heard other students yelling "gun" and saw them running.

"I yelled, 'gun gun,' and everyone sprinted into action. Immediately the alarm system went off, which is a very terrifying sound," said Taylor. "Then they all narrowed us into the athletics room. It's a very small office, and it was very terrifying."

Students and staff credited the quick actions by the school security staff on campus right as the school day was getting started.

"The SROs were on it, which I think very much prevented shots being fired or people getting injured," said Taylor.

Students told CBS Colorado that there was a chaotic scene before the suspect was taken into custody. 

"It was bad, people started running and screaming and there was a lot going on," said one student. 

Investigators said the school was immediately put on lockdown which was then downgraded to hold and then finally normal operations following the incident. 

No one was injured and no shots were fired, according to police. 

The student was taken into custody for possession of a firearm. Investigators said the firearm was not stolen. 

Next door, as a precaution, Prairie Middle School was also placed in a SECURE status, as the lockdown was in place at Overland High School.

"We followed our usual lockdown procedures, checking classrooms, clearing classrooms. we communicate with the classrooms throughout the situation to let them know that they are safe," said Abbe Smith, the district's Chief Communications Officer.

After the security sweep, the school resumed normal operations, but questions were raised as to why the school did not get canceled for the day.

"It's important for students to be in school, but we are going to continue providing classes for students who are there today, feeding them lunch, making sure that their day can be as normal as possible."

While some students returned to class, many others left campus for the day.

"You always want to prepare for it, but it's never in the back of your mind, like, hey, this is going to happen to me. it just happens," said Taylor.

"Honestly, I'm just glad everyone's safe," said another student.

The student was taken into custody for possession of a handgun by a juvenile and possession of a weapon on school grounds. Investigators said the firearm was not stolen. 

The district will be providing mental health resources for as long as their needed.

Overland High School Principal Sybil Booker sent the following letter to the school community: 

Dear Overland High School Community,

This morning, Overland High School went into a lockdown after we learned that a student had brought a firearm to school. As soon as a member of our security team became aware of the weapon, they immediately apprehended the student and removed the firearm. School security quickly detained the student, contacted local law enforcement and district security.

Thanks to the swift actions of our security team and the effectiveness of our safety protocols, the situation was contained immediately. All students and staff remained safe, and the school returned to normal operations shortly afterward.

Nothing matters more to us than the safety and well-being of our students and staff. I want to commend our security personnel, staff, and law enforcement partners for responding quickly and professionally during this incident.

While no one was physically harmed, we understand that situations like this can cause fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions for students, staff, and families. Mental health professionals will remain available today and throughout the week to support any student or staff member who would like someone to talk to.

I also want to take this opportunity to share some of the safety resources and protocols currently in place across Cherry Creek Schools, including at Overland High School. Our district continuously reviews and strengthens safety practices in collaboration with law enforcement and school safety experts to help ensure our schools remain safe learning environments. Current districtwide safety measures include: 

• School security teams, District Security Coordinators, and School Resource Officers (SROs) who support schools throughout the district. 

• Radios for school leaders and security personnel that connect directly to district security and dispatch, along with emergency intercom systems with automated lockdown capabilities in every school. 

• Locked front entrances at elementary and middle schools requiring all visitors to check in through the main office. 

• Secure vestibules or kiosks installed throughout district schools. 

• Push-button or twist locks on classroom doors that allow rooms to be secured from the inside.

• The Redbag program in every classroom, which includes emergency first aid supplies and QR code communication capabilities during lockdown situations. Your partnership plays an important role in keeping our schools safe. If you see or hear anything concerning or potentially dangerous, please report it immediately to school staff, law enforcement, or through Safe2Tell at Safe2Tell Colorado. For families looking for guidance on talking with children after traumatic or high-profile incidents, the following resources may be helpful:

• NASP: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Families and Educators

• NIMH: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and trust as we work together to keep our school community safe.

Sincerely, Sybil Booker Principal, Overland High School

Overland High School is in the Cherry Creek School District and is located at 12400 E. Jewell Ave. in Aurora.