Former BLHS Student Charged with Weapon Possession on Campus

The 15-year-old freshman from Bonney Lake High School who brought a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol to school has been charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a dangerous weapon on school facilities.

The student, who wasn't identified because he is a minor, to campus Jan. 7. The boy, who was expelled, told authorities he brought the gun for target practice after class.  

Second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm is a Class C Felony, and possessing a dangerous weapon on school grounds is a gross misdemeanor. He was charged Jan. 10 in Piece County Juvenile Court.

Yesterday, the defense requested a deferred disposition, which would find the teen guilty and would put him on automatic probation. The court commissioner denied that request so the defense has filed a motion to have the case heard in superior juvenile court; they meet again Feb. 23 for a case revision.

If convicted of the firearm possession charge, the teen could face 10 to 30 days in jail, and an additional sentence of up to 150 hours of community service, 12 months of probation and a $500 fine.

According to the Bonney Lake police report, Bonney Lake High School assistant principal Brian Sheerer learned that the 15 year-old had a .22-caliber pistol and requested that school security officer Antonio Quiming escort the boy to his office.

Sheerer did not tell Quiming that the student had a weapon. During the walk to Sheerer’s office, Quiming noted that the student was "fidgeting with his pants" and asked if he could use the restroom first. Quiming did not let him go to the bathroom because he thought he "might dispose of drugs."

When Quiming arrived at Sheerer’s office with the student, the boy repeatedly denied he had a weapon. Quiming noticed the boy had something in his front pants pocket and another security officer removed a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol from his pocket.

The gun was loaded, with four rounds of ammunition. Police arrived and the boy was booked at Remann Hall on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. He was emergency expelled from campus.

“My understanding [about why he brought the gun to school] is that he brought it for target practice,” said Ann Cook, communications spokeswoman for the Sumner School District. “There were no threats made, that the school was aware of.”

Bonney Lake Police Chief Mike Mitchell told Patch that the gun belonged to a family member who didn't know the 15-year-old had it. Mitchell also said the student did not have permission to have the gun.