Crime

Loaded handgun found at Olympia High School last week, police say. Here’s what happened

The handgun that was recovered at Olympia High School on Thursday, Feb. 6.
The handgun that was recovered at Olympia High School on Thursday, Feb. 6. Courtesy

A 16-year-old boy was arrested and a handgun recovered on the grounds of Olympia High School last week, according to police.

Olympia police were dispatched to the school Thursday afternoon, Lt. Paul Lower said.

Once police arrived, the 16-year-old suspect and his 16-year-old male victim were contacted by the school administration and met with police in separate conference rooms, he said.

This is what they learned: About noon that day, the two students had met at a nearby park to sell and buy clothing.

During the transaction, the suspect pulled out a gun and said he wasn’t going to pay. The two began to argue, then the suspect showed the victim that the gun was loaded and threatened to shoot him in the leg. The victim finally walked away and later called his parents, who contacted the school.

Police later found the gun and loose rounds in the suspect’s vehicle on school grounds. Police described the firearm as a Glock-style handgun with a fully loaded magazine. The gun did not have a serial number, so police think it may have been a 3D-printed firearm.

The 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery and possessing a dangerous weapon on school property, Lower said.

The handgun that was recovered at Olympia High School on Thursday, Feb. 6.
The handgun that was recovered at Olympia High School on Thursday, Feb. 6. Olympia Police Department Courtesy

This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 10:38 AM with the headline "Loaded handgun found at Olympia High School last week, police say. Here’s what happened."

Rolf Boone
The Olympian
Rolf has worked at The Olympian since August 2005. He covers breaking news, the city of Lacey and business for the paper. Rolf graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1990. Support my work with a digital subscription
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