SPOKANE, Wash. – The student accused of bringing a loaded gun to Shaw Middle School on Tuesday will be arraigned on Oct. 23, but questions remain about whether the boy’s parents will face charges.
details how the boy allegedly threatened another student and how a loaded gun was discovered by a school resource officer. However, the documents do not clarify how or where the student obtained the weapon.
In the United States, parents can face charges if their child brings a gun to school, especially in states with “Child Access Prevention” laws that hold parents accountable for not properly storing firearms. Such laws could lead to criminal charges if a child gains access to a weapon and brings it to school.
Washington State has these laws, including Initiative 1639, the “Washington Child Access Prevention Law,” which makes gun owners criminally liable if their firearm is used to commit a crime.
NonStop Local submitted a public records request to the Spokane Police Department (SPD) on Thursday, seeking information on whether the student’s parents or guardians could face charges. The request was denied, with SPD stating it did not meet the criteria for disclosure.
Court documents reveal that when the student was asked about the gun, he allegedly claimed to be “holding it for someone.” The documents also included the gun’s serial number. NonStop Local contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to see if the number could be traced to determine the gun’s ownership. The Bureau informed NonStop Local that only law enforcement could access ownership details tied to the serial number.
Meanwhile, for the second time, NonStop Local requested an interview with Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Adam Swinyard. The inquiry focused on how this incident could impact school safety procedures, such as the implementation of metal detectors or clear backpacks.
A request sent Wednesday was met with a statement emphasizing gun owners’ responsibility to secure firearms, but it did not address specific safety questions.
