Aloha High Officials Say Juvenile was Arrested for Bringing a Loaded Gun to School

During a search, a deputy discovered a .22 caliber "Sterling" semi-automatic handgun. The suspect was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Trespassing.

Salem-News.com

(ALOHA, Ore.) - A Washington County Sheriff's deputy arrested a 17-year old male today for carrying a loaded handgun in Aloha High School. Police say the juvenile was previously in trouble for striking the vice principal. He said he was carrying the gun to protect himself from other violent students.

Around 12:21 PM, a Washington County Sheriff's deputy assigned to Aloha High School arrested 17-year old Jorge Louis Cortes for carrying a concealed handgun in Aloha High School, located at 18550 SW Kinniman Road. This area is located in the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District and is serviced by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's deputy was alerted to Cortes' presence on school grounds and was aware that he had previously been trespassed from the school. The deputy says he found Cortes inside the school and detained him. During a search, the deputy discovered a .22 caliber "Sterling" semi-automatic handgun. Cortes was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Trespassing.

School officials and police say Cortes had not been authorized to be on the school grounds. He told the deputy that he was carrying the gun for protection because he had been shot at last week, although he never reported the incident to the Sheriff's Office.

Aloha High was never put into lockdown. Police say the gun Cortes was carrying was fully loaded and had a round in the chamber. It has not yet been determined where Mr. Cortes got the gun. The investigation is continuing at this time.