CARTHAGE, Texas — An East Texas teen is behind bars after police say he was caught on a local school campus with alarming items.
According to the Carthage Police Department, on Tuesday, police were called to Carthage High School on reports of a possible threat.
When police responded, they located Auron Campbell, 17, of Gary, who they say seemed to be agitate and intoxicated. Officer say Campbell was found with a backpack containing a gas mask, airsoft rifle and multiple magazines.
The CPD says Campbell is not a current student at Carthage ISD and was trespassed from the campus.
Campbell was arrested for terroristic threat, public intoxication and criminal trespass. He was booked into the Panola County Jail.
Carthage ISD released the following statement regarding the incident:
We want to clarify some details about an incident that occurred at Carthage High School before school started this morning. A Carthage ISD employee noticed a suspicious person in the parking lot at Carthage High School and alerted a CHS administrator, who immediately notified Mr. Peeples, Carthage ISD director of safety and security.
The student was isolated in a secure area by the administrator while Mr. Peeples was notifying the Carthage Police Department.
Carthage PD arrived and took the suspect into custody, who was found to be in possession of an Orbeez or an airsoft rifle. These guns often resemble a traditional firearm but shoot non-lethal plastic or gel-filled pellets. This individual is not a current student at Carthage High School.
At no time were any staff members or students in any danger at Carthage High School today due to this incident. In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified via text message promptly. As you know, maintaining safety and security on our campus is our highest priority. This includes transparent communication with parents and staff that involves school safety issues.
“I’m very proud of the way our staff responded to the incident this morning,” said Carthage ISD Director of Safety and Security Darrin Peeples. “Everyone involved moved quickly to ensure that no students or staff were ever in danger and to minimize disruption to the learning environment.”
We always encourage anyone with knowledge about any threat or safety concern to inform campus administration immediately. Thank you for your continued support and trust as we all work together to keep our children safe.
The investigation is ongoing.