Burnsville Student Brought Fully Loaded Handgun To High School: Police

BURNSVILLE, MN — A Burnsville High School student was arrested and charged after bringing a handgun to campus, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced Thursday.

Alonzo Williams Jr. faces counts of dangerous weapon violation (possess dangerous weapon on school property) and possession of a firearm or ammunition by an ineligible person (under 18).

Both charges are felony crimes.Williams made his first appearance today in Juvenile Court, presided by Judge Christopher Lehmann, according to a news release.

"I’m grateful for the Burnsville Police Department’s quick and timely response to this incident," said Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena in a statement.

"I also commend how the staff members at Burnsville High School immediately reacted to the situation."

On April 2 at about 10:45 a.m., the Burnsville Police Department responded to a report of a firearm at Burnsville High School.

Earlier that morning, school officials were alerted to a firearm by concerned students who witnessed Williams taking a video of himself with a gun in a school bathroom, according to investigators.

Williams was located in the school and escorted to the dean’s office where the gun was found in his backpack, police said. Officers later identified the firearm as a Sig Sauer handgun with a fully loaded magazine containing 21, 9 mm rounds.

Williams said he purchased the gun from an unknown male for protection at school, according to investigators. No specific threats of harm or violence were directed at him, nor did Williams threaten any other students, police said.

Williams was taken into custody to the Juvenile Services Center in Hastings, where he was ordered to remain during Thursday's detention hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 16 in Hastings.