Some terrifying moments for parents and students at Bosse High School
Wednesday night ended with the arrest of a 16-year-old EVSC student
after he allegedly threatened Bosse marching band members with a BB gun.
"Obviously it's not something we wanted to have happen," said EVSC spokeswoman Marsha Jackson. "What occured was a student that is not a Bosse student or band student came to talk to an ex-girlfriend. In the midst of all that they got into a verbal altercation."
Shortly after that, Evansville police say, after practice, the 16-year-old suspect returned and got into another argument with students and pulled out a BB gun. He then allegedly began threatening the students. Police say a parent - acting on insticts - chased after the suspect, tackled him and pinned him until police arrived shortly before 9 o'clock Wednesday night.
The suspect faces four felony charges including intimidation with a weapon.
"Officers would have been ok to use deadly force," said EPD Sgt. Jason Cullum. "They would have believed the gun was real and there was an immediate threat to public safety and their own lives. I can't stress enough that a simple BB gun could turn into something way bigger than anybody ever intended or thought about."
Counselors were on-hand Thursday at Bosse High School to help the 40 students who were at band practice last night. Parents were also notified.
The name of the suspect was withheld because he is a minor.
"Obviously it's not something we wanted to have happen," said EVSC spokeswoman Marsha Jackson. "What occured was a student that is not a Bosse student or band student came to talk to an ex-girlfriend. In the midst of all that they got into a verbal altercation."
Shortly after that, Evansville police say, after practice, the 16-year-old suspect returned and got into another argument with students and pulled out a BB gun. He then allegedly began threatening the students. Police say a parent - acting on insticts - chased after the suspect, tackled him and pinned him until police arrived shortly before 9 o'clock Wednesday night.
The suspect faces four felony charges including intimidation with a weapon.
"Officers would have been ok to use deadly force," said EPD Sgt. Jason Cullum. "They would have believed the gun was real and there was an immediate threat to public safety and their own lives. I can't stress enough that a simple BB gun could turn into something way bigger than anybody ever intended or thought about."
Counselors were on-hand Thursday at Bosse High School to help the 40 students who were at band practice last night. Parents were also notified.
The name of the suspect was withheld because he is a minor.
