SILVERDALE — A Central Kitsap teen has been arrested for possession of a firearm while on school property in the Central Kitsap and North Kitsap school districts.
No injuries were reported in association with the incidents.
The male teen, 15, was taken into custody Friday and booked into juvenile detention on two counts of possessing a dangerous weapon on school facilities; unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor; and exhibiting, displaying or carrying a firearm with intent to intimidate.
He appeared in front of Kitsap County Juvenile Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The court ordered the suspect released from juvenile detention on personal recognizance, according to Sheriff Department spokesman, Deputy Scott Wilson.
North Kitsap High School principal Judson Miller said the district is currently working with the Kitsap County Sheriffs Department to figure out exactly who is involved and what schools they come from. Miller, who began his first year as principal after Kathy Prasch retired at the end of the 2010-11 school year, said he dealt with similar incidents in the past. At this time, there does not appear to be any students in the North Kitsap School District with direct ties to the CK student who brandished the firearm.
Sheriff’s patrol deputies initiated the investigation Thursday after receiving information that the suspect was in possession of the firearm while on the premises of Central Kitsap High School. Sheriff’s detectives continued with the follow-up investigation assisted by special agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
The suspect reportedly had the gun in his possession when he left Central Kitsap High School and brandished it while in a confrontation, and an attempt to provoke a fight, with a North Kitsap High School student at Raab Park in Poulsbo.
Following the confrontation, the suspect walked to North Kitsap High School and entered school grounds while still in possession of the gun, hidden on his person. He was asked by school officials to leave the premises as he wasn’t a NKHS student. The suspect walked to a nearby park and reportedly fired one shot from the pistol.
When asked to leave NKHS, school officials did not know the suspect was a potential threat. The officials were following the district protocols on out-of-district student visitors, Miller said.
It wasn’t until Thursday night the district learned the student was carrying a firearm.
Robyn Chastain, the director of communications for the district, said nobody at the district office heard the gun shot. The office is located adjacent to Raab Park.
As of now, no added precautions are being taken at either the schools or district office, Chastain said. If police indicated there is a threat, the district would take necessary steps to ensure safety.
The firearm allegedly was stolen from his residence on Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor.
The gun was recovered early Thursday evening from a home in Central Kitsap where the suspect had been visiting. It was found along a fence line in the back yard by the homeowner and turned over to sheriff’s deputies.
