UPDATE: 2 students arrested, .380 pistol found at school

Two Desert Wind Middle School students were arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of disorderly conduct involving weapons, disruption of an education facility and possession of a deadly weapon on school grounds.

The two students were both boys, ages 12 and 13.

A student informed a teacher Thursday that a weapon was on campus and there were “rumors” that a shooting was going to take place, said Ricky Alvarado, a spokesman for the Maricopa Police Department. A .380 pistol was located in a restroom and a 9mm bullet was found in the backpack of one of the students arrested.

The gun was not loaded, Alvarado said. A 9mm bullet cannot be used in a .380 pistol.

Alvarado said there were “allegations” that a shooting was going to take place and that police don’t have anything at this time that suggests there were particular individuals being targeted. The investigation is ongoing.  

He said the teacher informed school administration officials and police were called.

Both Desert Wind Middle School and Santa Cruz Elementary School went into lockdown for about 25 minutes, beginning at around 3:40 p.m. The schools are less than a mile apart and are located in the Tortosa neighborhood.  

According to the school district’s website, Desert Wind’s school day ends at 4:10 p.m. on non-early release days and Santa Cruz ends its school day at 3:10 p.m. on non-early release days. Thursday was not scheduled as an early release day, according to the district calendar.  

Alvarado said Thursday that police cleared Desert Wind Middle School and the lockdowns were lifted around 4:05 p.m.

According to a school district press release sent out Thursday, other students who may have been witnesses were questioned by police.