Albertville HS junior charged as adult after stolen gun found in backpack – WHNT.com
Albertville High School Student Arrested After Bringing Stolen Gun to Campus
In a concerning incident at Albertville High School, 16-year-old student Djovani Jean-Pierre was arrested after a loaded, stolen firearm was discovered in his backpack on September 23, 2024. The weapon, a .22-caliber pistol, was reported stolen during an armed robbery in Arab earlier that morning. (whnt.com)
School officials were alerted to the presence of a weapon on campus when a coach notified the school resource officer (SRO) that Jean-Pierre had returned to school grounds after leaving earlier in the day. Upon confronting Jean-Pierre, the SRO attempted to search his backpack. Jean-Pierre attempted to flee, leading to a brief struggle during which he was tased and subsequently apprehended. A loaded .22-caliber pistol, matching the description of the stolen firearm, was found in his backpack. (whnt.com)
Jean-Pierre faces multiple charges, including first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm (minor), and resisting arrest. Due to the severity of the charges, he is being tried as an adult, with the first-degree robbery charge carrying a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison. (whnt.com)
The incident has raised significant concerns among parents and the community regarding school safety. Albertville City Schools Superintendent Bart Reeves emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe environment for students and staff, urging parents to discuss the seriousness of such threats with their children. (whnt.com)
Defense attorney Richard Rice, representing Jean-Pierre, has argued that his client is being unfairly targeted due to his Haitian descent and that the case against him is based on hearsay. Rice contends that Jean-Pierre was given the firearm at a social gathering before an argument broke out among other attendees. He also highlighted Jean-Pierre’s previously unblemished record as a model student with no prior charges or instances of violent behavior. (waff.com)
Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray responded to these claims, stating that race has never played a role in prosecutorial decisions and that the focus remains on the facts and the law. She emphasized the importance of keeping children in schools safe and noted that Aniah’s Law has been utilized without regard to race. (waff.com)
As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains vigilant, underscoring the critical need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students within educational institutions.
Read the complete article here: https://whnt.com/news/northeast-alabama/albertville-city-officials-provide-update-after-student-found-with-loaded-gun/