GJH campus placed on lockdown after student brings knife to school

Gonzales Junior High School was briefly placed on lockdown Monday, Sept. 11, after a student allegedly brought a paring knife to campus, in violation of the district’s Code of Conduct.

When administrators were informed of the incident at 11 a.m. Monday, the campus was “immediately placed on hold status to ensure the safety of our students,” said Veronica Johannsen, district chief of Administration, Communications, and Security.

Gonzales ISD police officers and campus administrators immediately responded and located the student. The Gonzales Junior High halls were cleared and students were told to remain in their classrooms until the student was escorted off campus with their parent, Johannsen said.

“We want to thank our GISD officers for their quick response,” she said. “We are grateful to our staff members for remaining vigilant and for reporting the incident. It is important to remind our students to report suspicious or concerning behavior to an adult.”

Under Texas Penal Code Section 46.02 (a), a person commits an offense of unlawful carrying of a weapon — location-restricted knife if the person:

• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a location-restricted knife:

• Is younger than 18 years of age at the time; and

• Is not on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control; inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control; or under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian of the person.

According to Board Policy FNCG, a student shall be expelled from school if the student engages in conduct that contains the elements of the offense of unlawfully carrying weapons under Penal Code Section 46.02, or elements of an offense relating to prohibited weapons under Section 46.05, on school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property.