Loaded Gun Found In Plainfield East Student's Car: Police

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Plainfield East High School student was arrested Monday after police found a loaded gun under the passenger seat of her car Monday.

It started around 9 a.m. when staff requested help from a school resource officer because the student, identified as 18-year-old Serena L. Cail, of the 1600 block of West Kimberly Lane in Romeoville, smelled of marijuana, Plainfield police said.

The officer was asked to search the student's car parked in the school lot. When they arrived at the car, Cail tried to enter the driver's seat but was asked to exit and wait outside with school staff.

As the officer began searching the car, Cail entered through the rear door on the driver's side and began shuffling items on the seat, police said. Asked again to step out, the student exited and waited for the officer to start searching before entering the car — this time from the rear door on the passenger side — and searching for something on the floor.

Police said the officer attempted to restrain Cail but she resisted and kicked the officer.

Additional officers arrived at the school, arrested the student and completed the search when they found a loaded, semi-automatic pistol under a seat.

The 9mm pistol had no serial numbers on it, and police said its characteristics matched what is described as a "ghost gun," meaning it was assembled by the user after purchasing the needed pieces.

Police said the gun "never entered the high school," and no lockdown was initiated since the student was in custody when the firearm was discovered.

Charges of unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated battery to a police officer are pending, police said. The student was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, where she awaits a bond hearing.