Ridgecrest student allegedly found with stolen handgun at Mesquite High School

Ridgecrest student allegedly found with stolen handgun at Mesquite High School

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A student was detained after allegedly being found with a stolen handgun and a high-capacity magazine at Mesquite High School in Ridgecrest Wednesday.

Officers with the Ridgecrest Police Department responded to Mesquite High School on Wednesday after receiving report of a student in possession of a firearm making threats toward another student.

Watch ‘After Sunrise’ on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices

A school resource officer was notified and requested additional officers.

Officers found a loaded 9mm handgun and a high-capacity magazine in the student’s backpack, according to the Ridgecrest Police Department. Investigation showed the firearm was reportedly stolen out of Long Beach.

The student was detained without incident on suspicion of criminal threats, possession of a firearm on school grounds, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine and carrying a loaded firearm, according to police.

The police department is reminding parents to know what their children are taking to school, have an open conversation about threats and violence and properly secure firearms.

This case is under investigation.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.