Loaded Gun Found at Perris High School, Prompting Lockdown

Student who brought firearm to campus was arrested and taken into custody.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A loaded firearm was discovered on the campus of Orange Vista High School in Perris, California on Friday morning, leading authorities to place the school on lockdown. The student who brought the gun to school was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center. No additional weapons were found after a sweep of the campus.

Why it matters

School safety and gun violence prevention are ongoing concerns, especially after recent high-profile incidents of firearms being brought onto school grounds. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance, reporting suspicious activity, and having effective security protocols in place to protect students and staff.

The details

Police were called to Orange Vista High School around 10 a.m. on Friday after the loaded firearm was found on campus. The student who brought the gun was arrested and taken into custody. Authorities conducted a thorough sweep of the school with assistance from the sheriff's department's bomb squad and K-9 unit, but no other weapons were discovered. All students and staff were reported safe, and no one was injured.

  • The loaded gun was found at around 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The student who brought the firearm to campus was arrested and taken into custody.

The players

Val Verde District Police Department

The local police department that responded to the incident at Orange Vista High School.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The county law enforcement agency that provided additional support and resources, including a bomb squad and K-9 unit, to assist in the campus sweep.

Orange Vista High School

The high school located in Perris, California where the loaded firearm was discovered, prompting a lockdown.

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What they’re saying

“We encourage everyone in our school community to follow the "see something, say something" principle. If you observe anything suspicious or concerning, please report it immediately to school staff or law enforcement.”

— Val Verde District Police Department

What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate how the student obtained the firearm and whether any additional charges will be filed.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of keeping schools safe and the critical role that vigilance, reporting, and effective security protocols play in preventing potentially dangerous situations involving firearms on campus.