Ponchatoula Jr. High student arrested in gun incident

PONCHATOULA — Officers arrested a 14-year-old boy who they said carried a loaded pistol into Ponchatoula Junior High School on Friday, the Ponchatoula Police Department reported.

No incident occurred and no one was injured, according to police.

The boy told investigators he brought the gun to school for self-defense, but he was carrying it for an event after school that he was going to outside of the parish with relatives, Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson said. Layrisson did not say what the event was or where it was to be held, but said his office contacted proper authorities.

The youth, who was placed into a juvenile facility, said he had no intention of using the gun at school, the police chief said.

Layrisson said his officers have uncovered no evidence to indicate the youth planned to shoot anyone.

The youth, whose name was not released because of his age, had both a .38-caliber pistol and a knife in his possession, Layrisson said. School officials obtained anonymous information that the youth had a weapon in his possession and called him to the office shortly after classes began Friday.

Officials contacted police and officers arrested the boy without incident, according to the police chief.

Officers booked the youth into the Florida Parish Juvenile Detention Center on carrying a firearm/weapon on school property, Layrisson said.