Sac Sheriff: Bella Vista Student Shoots Self on the Way to School

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department investigators will continue to look into why a Bella Vista High School student was carrying a gun to school that lead to the student accidentally shooting himself in the leg.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning while the student made his way to class, said Bella Vista vice principal Bob Wegsteen.

According to Wegsteen, the boy had the gun for protection against an incident involving an adult man in his neighborhood.

Sheriff's deputies would be called to the high school sometime after 9 a.m., alerting them that the boy had brought the gun onto campus. However, it is still unclear whether the student had the gun on campus before he shot himself.

"He wasn't angry," said Wegsteen. "He was having a problem in his neighborhood and said the gun was for his own protection."

Wegsteen said the school has been fielding questions and concerns from parents, but does not believe the incident will prompt the school to take any further security measure as a result.

"We talked to staff and we have Sheriff's officers who work with the school already," he said. "The issue is a community issue."

According to Sheriff's officials, the student's injury was non-life threatening. The boy has been charged with a felony concealed weapon charge, according to the report, and has been released into the custody of his parents pending further investigation.

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