On August 29, 2022, at approximately 9:23 a.m., deputies from the Wasco Substation responded to Independence High School in Wasco regarding school staff locating and seizing a firearm and marijuana from a student on campus. The handgun was secured without incident by school staff. Upon locating the firearm and marijuana, school staff immediately notified the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, deputies seized a loaded 9mm illegally manufactured firearm ("ghost gun”).
The juvenile was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for being in possession of a weapon at school possession of a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition on school grounds, and possession of marijuana on school grounds.
Based on the information available to deputies, it is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the students. There is no immediate information that the student brought the gun to school with the intent to harm students or staff.
More information will be released as it is made available for the public.
