Juvenile arrested after firearm found at Tucumcari Middle School; police report calls for more training, staffing

Tucumcari police reported that officers arrested a juvenile at Tucumcari Middle School after an investigation into an alleged armed robbery led officers to believe the juvenile was a suspect and later in possession of a firearm on school grounds.

Sergeant Danilo briefed the commission on an ongoing investigation involving an alleged armed robbery and a juvenile taken into custody on an arrest warrant. Officers had investigated a reported armed robbery the night before, developed probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant from district court. After learning the juvenile was at the middle school the next morning, officers notified school staff and went to the school. During arrest procedures officers located a firearm on the juvenile, creating additional potential charges for unlawful possession on school premises. The department also executed a search warrant at a private residence related to the investigation.

Sergeant Danilo said the investigation is ongoing and that investigators have developed leads; he cautioned he could not release all details without jeopardizing the case. He told the commission the department had held a public forum to answer parents’ questions and that the school administration and school board are reviewing policies. The department will increase its presence at schools and requested specialized training tailored to small departments for school and active-shooter response. Danilo noted staffing constraints — typically two officers on duty — and said additional training and coordination with the sheriff’s office and state police are needed because outside agencies may have delayed response times.

When asked whether parents face charges, Danilo replied that at this time there is no indication that criminal charges against a parent are warranted; the issue appears to be lack of supervision rather than a criminal act by a parent. He also said the origin of the firearm remains under investigation and the department was following leads.

Why it matters: The incident raises school-safety and policing questions for Tucumcari — including training, personnel and interagency coordination — and prompted a community forum to answer parents’ concerns.

Sergeant Danilo emphasized the department’s priority was removing an armed individual from school without injuries; he said no students, staff or officers were injured in the incident. The department will request funding and the commission’s support to provide specialized training and to consider staffing implications that could improve the department’s response to similar incidents in the future.