A 15-year-old student accused of taking a loaded shotgun to North High School is a known gang member who was having trouble with rival gang members, a prosecutor said Friday.
That information prompted the Douglas County attorney to file charges in adult court against David Russell, who was arrested Wednesday as he attempted to enter the building with the shotgun inside a duffel bag. He is charged with possession of a short shotgun and possession of a firearm at a school.
Russell, who is being held at the Douglas County Youth Center, was ordered held on $150,000 bail this afternoon. He would have to post 10 percent -- or $15,000 -- to be released pending trial.
Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle said Russell’s gang involvement, use of drugs and history of truancy were factors in the decision to charge the high school sophomore as an adult.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon, according to police. Russell left the building at lunchtime and later returned with the duffel bag and two other people. A security guard alerted the school resource officer that the youths were trying to enter the building through the west doors.
An officer approached Russell, but he ran. School security and some construction workers working at the school helped to catch Russell.
Russell’s mother could not immediately be reached for comment.
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