Student Faces Expulsion for Alleged Weapons Possession : Schools: Youth was caught allegedly carrying gun, knife on property of Huntington Beach school district, which has ‘zero tolerance’ policy.

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  A 15-year-old high school sophomore faces expulsion and criminal charges for carrying a loaded gun and a knife on the campus of Ocean View High School, officials said Friday.

The teen-ager, a student at Westminster High School whose name was not released because of his age, reportedly was meeting his girlfriend at the school Thursday afternoon when teachers stopped him and discovered the weapons. He was taken to Orange County Juvenile Hall and will have an expulsion hearing before a panel of school administrators later this month.

Under the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s “zero tolerance” policy, any student caught carrying weapons is recommended for expulsion. Students who are expelled can enroll in county-run court schools or private schools.

“I want to send the strongest message possible that weapons have absolutely no business being on campus,” said Ocean View Principal Carla Rush.

Two other students in the Huntington Beach district have been caught with weapons this fall. Last year, 15 students in the district and 406 in Orange County public schools were found with weapons.

Three students were expelled from Marine View Middle School in Huntington Beach this week in connection with what officers allege was a 13-year-old’s plot to take a classroom hostage using the machete, knife and two guns he had in his backpack.

In the incident Thursday, physical education teachers noticed the boy in a parking lot about 12:40 p.m. and notified administrators. Vice Principal Michael Bryan questioned the student, and a uniformed but unarmed campus officer brought him to the school office for questioning and a search.

Officials discovered a loaded .22-caliber handgun in the front of the youth’s waistband, said Sgt. Preston Linker of the Huntington Beach Police. He said a penknife with a three-inch blade was later found in the teen-ager’s backpack.

“We’re suspicious of all non-students,” Bryan said, noting that Ocean View prohibits students from leaving and non-students from visiting during school hours. “We try to be very alert and aware.”

Westminster High Principal Bonnie Maspero said the arrested student has a disciplinary record at school, but would not reveal the details. The student was in class Thursday morning, but had finished school for the day before heading to Ocean View, Maspero said.

“Obviously, we consider it to be a serious matter and we will act appropriately,” she said.