2 investigations involving teens, guns prompt warning from police, advocates

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - Two separate investigations involving teenagers and guns are prompting a warning from police and advocates about the risks when juveniles have access to firearms.

Police say they took a semi-automatic handgun from a teenager’s bedroom after a firearm went off inside a home on West Bustamante Street last Friday, Oct. 2.

Investigators say they also linked that juvenile to recent fights near a local high school and say he allegedly threatened to use the weapon.

He is now in custody at Webb County Youth Village.

Separately, officers used the LPD Raven drone to track down a vehicle connected to a fight near that same high school Friday, recovering an AR-15-style rifle from that vehicle.

No charges have been filed in that case yet.

Advocates say these incidents should serve as a wake-up call for parents and guardians about the dangers of teens having access to guns.

“Let’s get that straight. Education does not begin in school. Education begins at home. And if you’re going to have axes, if you’re going to have weapons at your house, then you better teach your children to respect those weapons. Because you are putting the lives of others in your children’s hands,” said Dr. Severita Sanchez, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Both cases remain under investigation.

For more headlines, click here.