ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A 14-year-old student accused of bringing a loaded firearm onto the campus of Albuquerque High School will remain free under parental supervision, despite efforts by prosecutors to reverse his release. The case has sparked renewed concern over gun access among minors and the responsibility of parents to ensure weapons are kept out of reach.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office said the incident occurred last week when school officials discovered that the teenager allegedly attempted to hide a gun loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition in a locker on school grounds. The weapon was reportedly found before any harm occurred, but the discovery led to an immediate arrest and court proceedings to determine whether the teen should remain in custody.
Teen Released, Prosecutors Seek Reconsideration
Following the arrest, the teenager was released to his parents earlier this week after a Children’s Court judge decided that detention was unnecessary at that stage. However, prosecutors quickly filed an emergency motion urging the court to reconsider, arguing that the teen’s father had misled the court about his own criminal history involving firearms.
According to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, the father testified that he had never been charged with a gun-related crime. However, court records revealed that he had faced two prior firearm-related charges, both of which were eventually dismissed.
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Prosecutors cited these discrepancies as a serious concern, arguing that the court’s decision to release the boy was based on incomplete or inaccurate information. The prosecution contended that the father’s lack of transparency undermined the trust necessary for a supervised release and raised questions about whether the home environment was appropriate for the teen.
Past Charges Against the Father
Court records show that in 2015, the father was charged with firing a gun at a dog during an altercation at a dog park near Tingley Drive and Alcalde Place. Then, in 2017, he faced another charge after allegedly pulling a firearm on someone during a parking dispute.
Both of these cases were later dismissed, and there were no convictions. Because of this, KRQE News 13 has chosen not to identify the father publicly. Still, the prior incidents became central to the state’s motion to challenge the release order.
Prosecutors argued that, although the charges were dismissed, the father’s history with firearms and the apparent misrepresentation to the court about his past created a risk factor that needed to be addressed.
Judge Denies Motion but Warns Parents
On Wednesday, Judge Alma Cristina Roberson of the Second Judicial District Children’s Court denied the prosecution’s emergency motion. The judge ruled that the teenager could remain in his parents’ custody under strict conditions.
However, Judge Roberson did not hold back in expressing her disapproval toward the father for failing to disclose his previous charges. In a pointed statement from the bench, she emphasized the importance of honesty and accountability in cases involving minors and firearms.
“The court needs to trust that parents are going to report violations,” Judge Roberson said. “The court needs to trust when parents say they are not going to have firearms in the home that their child can have access to, that that is going to happen. What you have done now is you have created a situation where the court does not trust.”
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The judge further ordered that no firearms be present in the family’s home under any circumstances. The parents must also report any violations of the teen’s release conditions immediately to the authorities.
Community and Safety Concerns
This case has reignited discussions in Albuquerque about gun safety, youth access to firearms, and the responsibilities of gun owners, particularly those with children. The incident follows a string of similar cases nationwide in which minors have been found in possession of firearms on school grounds, prompting calls for stronger preventive measures.
Local advocates for school safety say the case underscores the need for families to take greater precautions with weapon storage. “Every time a young person gains access to a gun, it puts entire communities at risk,” said one local safety advocate. “We can’t afford to rely on luck when it comes to preventing tragedies in our schools.”
The Albuquerque Public Schools district has not released detailed information about how the weapon was discovered but confirmed that swift action by school staff and law enforcement prevented a potentially dangerous situation.
Conditions of Release and Next Steps
The 14-year-old remains under strict supervision as his case proceeds. While out of custody, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or being near any weapons. The court also mandated that the family comply with periodic checks to ensure that the conditions of release are being followed.
The teenager could face serious juvenile charges related to possession of a firearm on school property, though the exact charges and potential consequences have not been made public. The case remains under investigation by local law enforcement and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Roberson’s decision reflects a balance between rehabilitation and public safety—two guiding principles of the juvenile justice system. While prosecutors pushed for detention, the judge opted for conditional release, emphasizing that parental accountability and oversight would be crucial moving forward.
A Warning for Parents
The judge’s strong words have resonated beyond the courtroom. Her statement highlights an ongoing challenge faced by courts and schools: ensuring that parents are honest and responsible when minors are involved in firearm-related incidents.
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For now, the family has been ordered to comply strictly with the no-firearm policy at home and to cooperate fully with court directives. Any failure to do so could result in the teen being taken back into custody.
As the case continues, it serves as a reminder of the vital role parents play in preventing gun access and maintaining trust with the justice system. The situation at Albuquerque High School, though resolved without injury, stands as a warning about the potential consequences of negligence and the importance of keeping firearms securely out of reach of children.
