Two Students Arrested for Knives on Montgomery High School Campus; Santa Rosa Police Department Officer Assigned to MHS Campus Monday and Tuesday 

Two Students Arrested for Knives on Montgomery High School Campus

On March 10, 2023, at 4:40 p.m., the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) received a call from a parent regarding a notification from Montgomery High School (MHS) administration. The letter stated that two students were caught with knives on campus and  later sent home with their parents. At the time of the notification to parents, MHS administrators had not yet notified SRPD about the incident; however, SRPD opened a preliminary investigation into the allegations. 
 

During school hours on March 10, MHS administration initiated an investigation into a student after they “learned of a social media post involving weapons that may be with a student on campus today.” As the fifteen-year-old student in question was called to the office, he passed an object to another seventeen-year-old male student. MHS staff confiscated the object, which was a folding-style locking knife with a 4-inch blade. Both students were brought to the MHS administrative office. While MHS administration searched the seventeen-year-old student’s backpack, they found a fixed-blade knife. The blade of the knife measured seven and a half inches in length. MHS administration completed their investigation, administered discipline to both students, and sent them home with their parents. 
 

At 8:30 p.m. on March 10, SRPD received a call from a MHS administrator regarding the two students who had knives on campus. An SRPD officer conducted an interview with the MHS administrator, where they identified the involved students, and SRPD received the knives from administrator. The reason each of the students brought knives on campus is still unknown, but under investigation. The knives have been booked into SRPD Property/Evidence, and both students were arrested on Sat., March 11, for: 

• 626.10(b) PC – (Felony) Possession of a Weapon on School Campus 

The names of both students will not be released based on their ages. 

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School Safety & a Santa Rosa Police Department Officer on Montgomery Campus 

Over the weekend, Chief Cregan and Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Anna Trunnell continued to discuss school safety. At the request of the Superintendent, Chief Cregan has assigned Officer Luigi Valencia to the Montgomery High School campus for Monday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 14. Officer Valencia will be supporting MHS staff with maintaining a safe learning environment for students and teachers. 
 

Officer Valencia is a bilingual and bicultural officer who started with SRPD two and a half years ago. Officer Valencia grew up in Santa Rosa, and is also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Prior to working for SRPD, he worked for the Sonoma County Mobile Mental Health Response Team. Officer Valencia still runs multiple youth diversion programs in Windsor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale. 
 

Additionally, SRPD patrol officers will be making security checks at other Santa Rosa high school campuses, between other calls for service. This includes driving through parking lots, walking the campuses, and checking in with school administrators. 

These additional security measures are meant to supplement the work of school staff and administrators. Chief Cregan and the entire Santa Rosa Police Department are committed to the safety of students and teacher, and we will continue to partner with students, teachers, and parents to make sure students are safe and we are meeting the expectations of our community. 
 

Media inquiries can be directed to Sergeant Christopher Mahurin at cmahurin@srcity.org.