Gun Taken from 16 Year old Student
(Lt. William Wilson, Ferndale Police Department 3/4/2011)
In February, the 16-year-old reported to Ferndale Police that two students at Taft stole Cartier glasses worth over $1,000 from his face and then ran from the school. At the time the police report was made, the identity of the thieves was unknown. Due to the persistent work of the school administration, the students were identified and disciplined.
This week, as the result of a subsequent confrontation between these students, the 18-year-old gave more statements to school officials concerning the day he stole the glasses. He said that after he took the glasses (with another friend), they ran out of the school and down the street. The sixteen-year-old chased after them, then used a gun to fire shots.
Based on this new information and this week’s confrontation, a school official talked to the 16-year-old and asked if he had a gun. The student ran out of the office, but was caught by the official and a security guard. They recovered a loaded pistol from the boy and called police. The juvenile was arrested. He appeared before the Juvenile Court on March 3rd and is currently being held without bond pending further court action.
The case is still being investigated to determine whether the other 18-year-old students will be charged for stealing the glasses from the 16-year-old.
Identities of the students are not being released as the student with the gun is a juvenile and investigation into possible charges of the others has not been completed.
We appreciate the skillful handling of this situation by the school staff at Taft.
Det. Lt. William Wilson
Ferndale Police Department
310 E. 9 Mile
Ferndale, MI 48220
NOTE: An earlier Graphic for this article incorrectly identified FHS as the location of the incident. This all took place at Taft Education Center.