Berwick police: Student arrested after firing airsoft gun at schoolmate
One student who shot another with a nonlethal airsoft gun Thursday as he left Berwick High has been arrested on a disturbing the peace charge, Berwick police reported.
"Whether the item is an airsoft gun, a gel blaster type gun, or simply an item that is portrayed as being a gun, these actions will not be tolerated upon any school campus," Police Chief David Leonard said in a press release.
Shawn P. Francois, 18, Apple Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:11 p.m. Thursday on a charge of disturbing the peace (alarming the public).
According to the Berwick Police Department account, at 12:22 p.m. Thursday, Berwick High School notified police about a student in the campus’ parking lot who had what appeared to be an airsoft gun. Officers and detectives immediately responded.
Through investigation, officers learned that an early release student, identified as Francois, was leaving school during the lunch/recess break. Before leaving, Francois pulled out a “Gel Ball Blaster” from his car and shot another student in the back.
The on-duty teacher immediately recognized the item as not being a weapon and took action in the matter. The student was not injured as the projectiles are small and made of a water/gel based solution.
The guardian of the juvenile declined prosecution for the battery that occurred. However, since there was an incident of this nature that occurred on school campus that prompted a law enforcement response, officers placed Francois under arrest. He was booked into the Berwick Jail and later released after posting a $201 cash bond.
Leonard commended the faculty's response to the incident and said school safety is paramount,
"Although these types of guns do not meet the federal definition of a 'firearm,' some still discharge a projectile with such force that could cause injury to a person, thus causing that item to meet the criteria of a dangerous weapon. Any incident that is received regarding these types of objects will be thoroughly investigated by the Berwick Police Department and criminal charges will be filed when appropriate.
"Parents are urged to discuss with their children the importance of gun safety, which includes air-powered guns, and even check their school bags if necessary. Anyone who wishes to learn more about the Louisiana firearms’ laws are encouraged to research the following Louisiana Revised Statutes on the Louisiana State Legislature’s website, www.legis.la.gov: LRS 14:95.2; LRS 14:95.6, and LRS 40:1379.3."