2 South Austin Students Charged With Bringing Gun On Campus

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Two Austin charter school students in Southeast Austin were arrested this week after one was accused of having brought a gun onto campus that a peer was holding for him, according to a published report.

Details of the incident on Tuesday were disclosed via an arrest affidavit referenced by the Austin American-Statesman in a report on Wednesday. Anibal Escobar Mejia, 17, and an unnamed minor were both charged with possession of a weapon in a prohibited area, which is a third-degree felony.

The incident occurred at IDEA Allan public school, 1701 Vargas Rd,, on Tuesday afternoon, according to the report. Students alerted school officials to the presence of the gun on campus, according to the affidavit. The minor who brought the weapon is said to have initially denied the accusation but later said he gave the firearm to Mejia to hold for him, according to the report.

Law enforcement officials later found the unloaded semi-automatic weapon tucked into the waistband of Mejia's pants, according to the affidavit. The boy told administrators he planned to turn it in to school officials, but police noted he held on to it during lunch and sixth period, according to the affidavit.

“In light of the recent horrific crimes happening across Texas and other places, we recognize the severity of any threat — real or perceived — against our students,” IDEA school officials said in a letter to parents. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that all of our students are learning and growing in a safe environment every day."

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Anibal Escobar Mejia booking photo via Austin Police Department