According to a Fortuna Police Department press release, at approximately 9:00am Friday morning, September 8th, the Fortuna Police Department received a report that a 15 year old male student would be bringing a handgun to Eel River Community School located in Fortuna.
After immediate investigation, officers determined that the 15 year old male student was familiar to the Fortuna Police Department since he had previously been arrested in February of 2023 for attempted homicide, robbery, conspiracy and concealing evidence.
Upon arrival officers coordinated with school administrators to detain the student and at approximately 9:22am, the student arrived in the parking-lot of Eel River Community School as a passenger in a vehicle and was immediately detained by officers.
A 9mm Glock brand semi-automatic handgun and a loaded magazine was located in his possession as well as a separate loaded magazine for a .22 rifle. The handgun and ammunition were seized and the student was immediately taken into custody without incident.
A follow-up search of the location where the 15 year old student had been residing was conducted by officers and a 22. Caliber Rifle was located and seized as evidence.
Later that same day, Friday, September 8th, an additional 13 year old male student of the same Eel River Community School was also believed by the Fortuna Police Department to be in possession of a loaded handgun.
The student, who was absent from school on that date and had reportedly threatened another student at the school.
A search warrant was authored and later that Friday afternoon, the 13 year old juvenile male was observed walking in the street walking with two other juveniles, all wearing red hooded sweatshirts.
The 13 year old male suspect was detained with a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun in his waistband.
The 15 year old male from the morning incident was transported to Juvenile Hall and booked on the multiple felony charges. The 13 year old male involved in the incident Friday afternoon, was taken into custody. The handgun was identified as a stolen firearm, from a residential theft that occurred from a home in Fortuna before the 13 year old male was transported to Juvenile Hall and booked on a multitude of felony charges.
