Weapon In Tote Bag Found Near Santa Cruz Middle School

SANTA CRUZ, CA – Police recovered a "take-down style," .22-caliber semi-automatic weapon stuffed in an old tote bag found last week near a Santa Cruz middle school.

The gun, with its parts stored in the buttstock, was discovered Wednesday by a school employee near the front campus of Branciforte Middle School on Poplar Avenue, according to the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Upon the discovery, Santa Cruz police locked down the school and searched room by room in the possibility other guns were planted for an active-shooter situation, the department said, adding that no other weapons or suspicious objects were found on school grounds.

During the sweep, the students were released room by room to parents, who were waiting outside, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the department at 831 -420 -5800, or anonymous tips can also be sent to the police department through the tip line 831-420-5995.

IN OTHER SCHOOL-WEAPON STORIES FROM THE BAY AREA LAST WEEK:

• San Ramon Dad Arrested After Child Brought Gun To School

• 2 Students Arrested For Gun At Milpitas High School

• No 'Man With Gun' Found Near Peninsula School, Lockdown Lifted

--Image courtesy of SCPD