DES MOINES, Iowa — A fight between students at Des Moines Public School’s Central Campus on Friday led to the discovery of a loaded handgun.

According to the Des Moines Police Department, at around 1:19 p.m. officers responded to Central Campus on a report of a fight between two students. When officers arrived at the scene school staff had already separated the two students. One student suffered a minor facial injury in the fight, police said.

When officers took the other student involved, a 17-year-old who was determined to be the aggressor, into custody they discovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun on him, DMPD said.

The 17-year-old has been referred to juvenile court for charges of Carrying Weapons on School Grounds and Assault Causing Injury.

Des Moines Public Schools released the following statement to parents Friday afternoon about the incident:

Central Campus initiated a HOLD action this afternoon during a fight among three students. HOLD means students cleared the hallways and remained in their classrooms with the doors closed while classes continued. The HOLD lasted for about 20 minutes.

Our staff brought the situation under control and called DMPS Public Safety and Des Moines police for assistance. When the police officers searched one of the students, they found a loaded handgun. The student was taken into custody and will not be returning to DMPS.

We thank our leadership and staff at Central Campus for their quick action, and DMPS Public Safety and Des Moines police for their assistance.

DMPS

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