MARRERO – Thirteen students were arrested and one gun was recovered after a string of fights broke out at John Ehret High School this morning.
The campus was placed on lockdown just after 10 a.m. after the fights broke out.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the campus after the school’s resource officer called for backup.
Multiple fights broke out among students during an end of the school year event, according to the JPSO.
The lockdown extended until 12:10 p.m., which was also the time the school was scheduled to close today.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said 12 students were arrested for fighting, while the 13th student was arrested for possession of a firearm on campus.
“It doesn’t appear that he was involved in the fighting originally, but he was carrying a gun on campus,” Lopinto said. “We had identified that person and were looking for that person actively. He presumably found out that we were looking for him and took off running from the scene. Our deputies chased him. He ditched the gun, which we have recovered and we have him in custody also.”
The Jefferson Parish School Board released the following statement:
John Ehret High School was placed on lockdown this morning. Multiple fights broke out among students during an end of the school year event. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the campus. Police found a gun after searching a student and some students were arrested.
Our top responsibility is the safety of students and staff, and we will follow all school board discipline policies for any students that were involved. All John Ehret parents were notified this morning about the lockdown. Today is students’ final day of school before summer break. School is dismissing at 12:10 p.m. and regular dismissal procedures will be followed.