APTOS — Law enforcement officials have made an arrest three days after a firearm, ammunition and a mask were all discovered in close proximity on the campus of Aptos High School last weekend.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that it had arrested a juvenile in connection with the alarming find that occurred Sunday, and noted that the items may be tied to another incident that unfolded near campus weeks earlier. The firearm and ammunition were found together in a bag, while the mask was located near the bag.
According to a Sheriff’s Office release, investigators confirmed that a physical altercation occurred near Aptos High School when classes were out of session during the district’s winter break period lasting from Dec. 22 to Jan. 9. Sheriff’s Office Lt. Chris Shearer added in a video message posted on social media that the incident allegedly involved a group of juveniles assaulting another juvenile and, while firearms were present, none were discharged.
The 72-hour investigation led to the identification of a suspect and an arrest was made, according to the release. None of the students involved in the winter break altercation are students at Aptos High School, Shearer noted.
Because of the proximity and surrounding circumstances, investigators now believe there is a strong probability that the firearm located Sunday is connected to the winter break assault.
“However, we are not ruling out any other possibilities,” Shearer added in the video. “That is why our detectives are continuing to pursue every lead and have expedited the forensic examination of the firearm.”
Recognizing that the Sunday discovery put many students and parents on edge, the Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, implemented a number of safety measures for school this week. These measures included deputies conducting a comprehensive search of the campus and surrounding areas with assistance from a bomb-detection K-9 team and bomb squad, an increased staffing and patrol presence at all county schools, deployment of contingency teams and emergency response plans, as well as general coordination among local law enforcement, the school district and the county Office of Education.
“While you may not see a large visible response, know that we are present and we are ready,” said Shearer. “We’ll maintain a law enforcement presence until we are confident that there is no ongoing threat.”
In its own release, the district reiterated the emphasis on safety moving forward and that additional details would be shared as appropriate.
“PVUSD recognizes the concern this incident has caused for families and the community,” school officials wrote in the release. “We are grateful for the swift response and ongoing partnership with law enforcement, and we remain committed to providing safe, supportive learning environments for all students.”