Arizona Deputies Arrest 8-Year-Old After He Brought a Loaded Gun to Fort Mohave Elementary School and Allegedly Made Threat Toward Teacher

ARIZONA — An 8-year-old student at a Fort Mohave elementary school was taken into custody after deputies say he brought a loaded firearm onto campus, showed it to classmates, and even handed it to another student before an alleged threat toward a teacher was overheard. No injuries were reported, but authorities say the situation could have been far worse. The incident has sparked concerns among parents, educators, and law enforcement regarding gun storage, school safety, and accountability.

Deputies: Child Displayed Gun and Handed It to Another Student

According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the situation unfolded when several students saw the child displaying the firearm during school hours. At one point, deputies say he handed the loaded gun to another child, escalating the danger inside the classroom.

A third student reported hearing what sounded like a threat toward a teacher, prompting immediate intervention. The student who witnessed the behavior alerted the school principal, who quickly notified deputies. Officers arrived and removed the firearm before any further risk developed.

Authorities Investigating How the Child Obtained the Firearm

Deputies are now working to determine how the 8-year-old gained access to the gun, whether the weapon was secured at home, and whether any adults were aware that the child had taken it. Law enforcement officials stressed that an elementary school student cannot obtain a gun without an adult’s negligence.

“An 8-year-old should never have access to a firearm — not by accident, not by curiosity, not under any circumstance,” investigators said.

No One Hurt, but Parents Left Deeply Concerned

Although no one was injured, the incident triggered fear and anger among parents across the district. Many have questioned how close the situation came to tragedy and whether changes to firearm storage laws or school safety policies are needed to prevent future incidents. The school did not enter a full lockdown but implemented heightened security while deputies secured the weapon.

Accountability Likely to Focus on Adults, Not the Child

Investigators emphasized that while the child was taken into custody, the long-term legal accountability will likely fall on the adult responsible for the firearm. Arizona, like many states, has child-access prevention laws that can lead to criminal charges for adults who allow minors to obtain weapons. The case remains under active review. For ongoing updates on public safety stories nationwide, follow NapervilleLocal.com.