A parent who conked out while awaiting paperwork in the office of his child’s middle school in La Verne was arrested Friday morning after being awakened and found to be in possession of a handgun.
Officers responded about 10 a.m. to Ramona Middle School at 3490 Ramona Avenue to investigate a report of an unresponsive person, according to the La Verne Police Department.
When officers arrived, the man was “awakened and found to be a parent of one of the students attending Ramona,” La Verne police Sgt. Cory Lopez said.
While talking to the man, officers saw that he “exhibited signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance,” Lopez said.
The man was then searched and a handgun was found in his waistband, the sergeant said.
“He was booked at the La Verne Police Department for possession of a firearm in a school zone,” Lopez said, adding that there was no immediate danger to students on the campus and that the man never came into contact with any children.”
The man — whose name was not immediately released — was being held on $20,000 bail, Lopez said.
School district Superintendent Carl Coles issued a statement praising school staff and police.
“As a parent and as your superintendent, I understand that this is upsetting and my deepest levels of emotions go out to students and families of Bonita Unified School District,” Coles said. “I truly appreciate the cooperation and quick response of the Ramona Middle School staff and the LVPD.”
He went on the say that the district’s “primary focus is the safety of … students and staff.”
“We remain committed to using this event as a strong reminder to continue our focus on necessary and responsive efforts to make our campuses as safe as possible,” Coles said.