Juvenile arrested for firecracker incident at MHS

Maricopa Police Department officers have arrested a student in conjunction with the firecracker incident Thursday, Aug. 14, at Maricopa High School.

An individual at the school ignited a large firecracker and threw it into the middle of a crowd of students waiting for the bus, injuring over ten students.

Injuries included a laceration to a student’s leg, minor flash burns and inner ear injuries to several other students as a result of the blast. Immediately following the incident, the Maricopa Police Department School Resource Officer, in cooperation with the school administration, began an investigation (High school locked down as firecracker investigation continues).

A 15-year-old student was arrested Friday at approximately 4:30 p.m. in connection with the incident.

The juvenile student, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was booked into the Pinal County Juvenile Facility on eight criminal counts, including five felonies and three misdemeanors. Charges include aggravated assault, disruption of an educational institution, disorderly conduct, misconduct involving explosives and possession of fireworks.

No evidence found during the investigation indicated that this was an organized or targeted attack.

MPD is doing additional follow up to determine the involvement of any other students.

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