The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident that was reported Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 involving a 17-year-old East St. John High School student. The male student was arrested and booked with felony carrying a firearm on school property.
Below is a statement from St. John the Baptist Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Cleo Perry Jr. regarding the incident:
On September 5, 2024, a parent notified the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office that a photograph of a student with a gun in a bathroom stall on school property was posted on social media. The Sheriff’s Office immediately notified the St. John the Baptist Parish School District of the photograph, and a collaborative investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the District was conducted. The results of the investigation revealed that the photograph was not recent.
The School Board and Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate this matter and take any action deemed appropriate depending on the results of said investigation.
We would like to thank Sheriff Mike Tregre and his team for their immediate response to address this issue. We would also like to thank the parent who reported the photograph to law enforcement. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. In light of the recent school shooting in Georgia, we want to assure everyone that we are unwaveringly committed to protecting our school community from gun violence and that we are dedicated to ensuring that every student and staff member feels safe and supported. Our condolences are with those who lost loved ones in Georgia.