An 18-year-old was arrested by Mesa Police Department officers after his actions forced the lockdown of two high schools.
According to the Mesa Police Department, Elijah Platt was taken into custody and charged with multiple crimes on February 9.
Nearly 20 officers from different units within the Mesa Police Department responded to Skyline High School after receiving reports of a subject with a gun on campus. The suspect, later identified as Platt, was said to be on the north side of the school.
Skyline and Superstition High Schools were put into immediate lockdown for approximately 20 minutes while officers saturated the area to find Platt.
Eventually the lockdowns were lifted while officers continued to investigate.
Police interviewed two student witnesses who stated they saw Platt by the softball fields with a handgun in his waistband. When Platt saw them, he moved the gun to the interior pocket of his jacket.
Skyline High School’s School Resource Officer (SRO) began reviewing campus security footage and verified the witness’s stories. The officer recognized Platt from prior contacts although Platt is not a student at Skyline High School.
Around 4:36 p.m. officers responded to the Coyote Landing Condominiums, located at 10136 E. Southern Mesa, AZ, for a report of a person, later identified as Platt. He was on the scene.
A witness reported seeing smoke coming from where Platt and a juvenile female were located on the property. Suspecting illegal activity, the witness went to see what was going on. The witness held on to Platt while police were called.
While holding Platt, the victim felt a gun in his waistband. Another witness helped by removing the gun from Platt’s possession.
After officers arrested Platt, they found illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia on his person, as well as a loaded handgun magazine.
Platt was interviewed and told officers the drugs were his. He also admitted to possessing the handgun, claiming to have found it in a bush. In addition, Platt gave illegal drugs to the juvenile female he was with, who had to be transported to the Hospital.
Platt was booked into jail for 12 charges and held on no bond status:
1ct Possession of Firearm During Drug Offense, ARS 13-3102A8, a class 4 felony.
1ct Narcotic Drug Possession, ARS 13-3408A1, a class 4 felony.
2ct Minor Carrying a Firearm, ARS 13-3111A, a class 6 felony.
1ct Carry Firearm on School Campus, ARS 13-3102A12, a class 6 felony.
1ct Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, ARS 13-3415A, a class 6 felony.
1ct Interfering with School Session, ARS 13-2911A2, a class 1 misdemeanor.
1ct Assault, ARS 13-1203A3, a class 1 misdemeanor.
1ct Disorderly Conduct, ARS 13-2904A1, a class 1 misdemeanor.
1ct Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, ARS 13-3613A, a class 1 misdemeanor.
2ct Trespassing, ARS 13-1503A, a class 2 misdemeanor.