Eighth Grader Arrested for Bringing ‘Bomb’ to Campus

A 13-year-old Lakeview Junior High School student was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly bringing a bomb onto the Santa Maria campus.

At around 9:15 a.m., reported Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Drew Sugars, the Orcutt school’s principal called authorities after he found what seemed to be an explosive device in the 8th grader’s backpack. He searched the bag after getting a tip that the student may have brought a banned item to school.

Once deputies arrived, said Sugars, they summoned the department’s Bomb Unit to examine the device which was made of paper, tape, fireworks powder and contained around 15 Airsoft pellets inside. It was determined not to be functional.

No evacuations were ordered other than the office in the administration building where the backpack was taken.

The initial investigation, said Sugars, has not revealed any evidence that the student intended to harm anyone at the school, but he was still arrested for felony possession of material with intent to make explosives. A razor blade and lighter were also found in the student’s backpack.

The Sheriff’s office is also hoping to file charges of possession of weapons on school grounds and possession of tobacco paraphernalia.

The student was released to the custody of his parents.