Juvenile in Custody for Semi-automatic Firearm

A 16-year-old Hispanic male juvenile was taken into custody after he was found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm.

COACHELLA — Two days after six people were killed in a school shooting in Nashville, a 16-year-old Hispanic male juvenile was taken into custody without incident, after he was found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic firearm, according to Sgt. David Aldrich.

In Nashville, a shooter armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun killed three students and three staff members at a Christian school on Monday morning, authorities said.

Was a tragedy thwarted this week locally this week? No one will ever know.

Thanks to perceptive law enforcement officials any potential risk was eliminated.

On March 29, the Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit conducted a weapons-related investigation. The investigation led to the 84700 block of Avenue 51, in Coachella. A search warrant was served at an apartment in the area.

The juvenile was transported to the Indio Juvenile Hall, where he was booked, for minor in possession of a semi-automatic firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 130 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year.

The Thermal Station Investigations Special Investigations Unit is asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Piscatella at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 863-8107.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-7867.