Unloaded Gun Found at Harlan High School, No Threats Made

Northside Independent School District says weapon was confiscated without incident

Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:47pm

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A gun was discovered at John M. Harlan High School in San Antonio on Thursday morning, according to the Northside Independent School District. Officials said an unloaded gun was found and confiscated without incident, and no threats were made against the campus or any students or staff.

Why it matters

The discovery of a gun on a school campus, even if unloaded, raises serious concerns about student and campus safety. While no threats were made, incidents like this highlight the need for continued vigilance and safety protocols in schools.

The details

School administrators and the NISD Police Department located the individual in possession of the 'prohibited item' and conducted a search, finding an unloaded gun. The school entered a SECURE status for an undisclosed amount of time while the situation was resolved. The individual will be disciplined, and school officials stated they take this violation of safety protocols very seriously.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday morning, January 29, 2026.

The players

Northside Independent School District

The school district that oversees John M. Harlan High School where the incident took place.

Rick Yzaguirre

The principal of John M. Harlan High School.

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What they’re saying

“We take this violation of safety protocols very seriously. The safety of our Hawks is our absolute priority. We are grateful for the quick response of our staff and law enforcement to ensure our campus remained secure.”

— Rick Yzaguirre, Principal, John M. Harlan High School (kens5.com)

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict safety protocols in schools and the need for continued vigilance to ensure the well-being of students and staff. While no threats were made, the discovery of an unloaded gun on campus underscores the ongoing challenges schools face in keeping their communities safe.