BB gun leads to student arrest

Clark enters not-guilty plea on two charges

Drew Lawson, The Record-Times | Last updated Feb 23, 2023 11:2am0

DAVENPORT—A 16-year-old boy was arrested and charged after allegedly bringing a BB gun to the high school here Thursday, Feb. 16.

Tristan M. Clark was transported to Martin Hall and booked on charges of possessing dangerous weapons on school facilities and harassment.

Clark appeared in Superior Court Tuesday, Feb. 21 and entered a not-guilty plea on the charges, according to the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office. A fact-finding hearing was set for Tuesday, March 7.

According to police records, Lincoln County Dispatch was told by school staff that a BB gun was brought to school and a threat was made to shoot another student in the eye. School safety officer Mike Jacoby told Sergeant Jerad McLagan he’d confiscated the weapon and locked it in his office after Clark’s threat to another student.

McLagan ruled that Clark picked up the BB gun from his home during lunch break before bringing it back to school, according to records. High school principal Noelle Carstens told McLagan that Clark admitted to using the words “BB gun,” “eyeball” and “shooting” in his threat to the other student, but wouldn’t make a complete admission, records state.

The sergeant then examined and seized the BB gun before placing Clark under arrest, according to records.

Superintendent Chad Prewitt said he couldn’t comment on whether Clark had been expelled or suspended from school but said the school district is following the legal process and state RCWs in proceeding with the situation.

“The biggest thing is we want to make sure our kids are safe,” Prewitt said.

The Sheriff’s Office put out a notice to district families and on Facebook last Thursday regarding the incident that included a reminder that BB guns are illegal to possess on school property.

Clark’s fact-finding appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7.