PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

June 5, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Confiscates Two Loaded Guns at Highland High School

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department’s School Resource Officers and Liberty Patrol Division safely arrested three students and recovered two loaded firearms.

This investigation started around 1 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023, when Highland High School security alerted a school resource officer about a suspicious car parked on school property.

While patrolling the school, the school resource officer saw three people inside the parked car.

Working with school officials, the school resource officer approached the car and conducted a traffic stop.

All three students tried leaving.

Two of the students, both registered at Highland High School, entered the school and tried to quickly exit.

The school resource officer called for immediate back-up.

The school resource officer quickly and safely detained both students after a short struggle.

After detaining the two students, officers found both students in possession of loaded handguns.

One of the handguns is listed as stolen.

Additional school resource officers and patrol officers and bike officers from the SLCPD’s Liberty Patrol Division responded to look for the third person, a student from East High School, who ran from the parked car during the traffic stop.

After a short search, officers found the third student.

The two students found in possession of firearms have been arrested and will be booked into the Salt Lake County Juvenile Detention Center.

Officers have released the third student to a legal guardian.

Because this case involves juveniles, no additional information about the three students or the investigation can be released.

At this time, it is unknown how the students accessed the firearms. Furthermore, their intent is unknown.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Photos from the scene are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

1 – Salt Lake City Police officers recovered this firearm at Highland High School (Salt Lake City Police photo | June 5, 2023).

 2– Salt Lake City Police officers recovered this firearm at Highland High School (Salt Lake City Police photo | June 5, 2023).

3 – A Salt Lake City Police patrol sergeant speaks with a SLCPD patrol officer outside Highland High School (Salt Lake City Police Department photo | June 5, 2023).

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