Teen charged in West High gun incident

IOWA CITY - Iowa City police have charged the West High student who brought a gun to school with a felony.

According to the police department, 16-year-old Raul R. Avalos has been charged with carrying weapons on school grounds, a Class D felony. The Gazette only identifies juveniles charged with felonies.

Police and West High officials said this week that a .357 handgun and a box of ammunition were found in Avalos' backpack Friday afternoon by school officials. Avalos left the school against the wishes of school officials and turned himself into the North Liberty Police Department. He was hospitalized after the incident.

West High principal Jerry Arganbright said this week that Avalos was experiencing what Arganbright described as 'emotional distress” in class on Friday. Avalos' teacher referred the teen to a guidance counselor at the school. The conversation between Avalos and the counselor prompted the administration to search the boy's belongings.

Both police and Arganbright said Avalos never made any threats.

West High students and parents were notified about the incident Monday afternoon. Iowa City Police Sgt. Scott Gaarde said Avalos' parents were cooperating with police and school officials.

Avalos was taken to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Facility.