INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools Police arrested a man they say was found trespassing with a gun and ammunition on the Arsenal Tech High School campus on the first day of classes.
Police found no evidence of a threat to students or staff, but a search of 28-year-old David Brown's backpack landed him in jail.
IPS Police responded around 11:40 a.m. Monday, July 31 to a report of a suspicious man near the football field. Police said they confronted Brown near the concession stand. As they approached, police said they could smell marijuana and Brown was holding a "green leafy object" in his hand.
Court records show Brown's backpack was full of trouble. Police allegedly found a semi-automatic handgun with a magazine loaded with nine bullets. Police said there was no bullet in the chamber. The search also found a jar almost full of marijuana and supplies for selling it, an unopened bottle of an alcoholic beverage, and a debit card belonging to a woman.
The football field is a significant distance from classroom buildings on the Tech campus. Court records offer no reason why Brown was on school property.
Brown is charged with unlawfully carrying a handgun on school property, possession of a firearm on school property and possession of marijuana. His initial court hearing on those charges is Friday, Aug. 4 at 9 a.m.
Brown is ordered to stay away from the school once he is released from jail.
The prosecutor asked for greater than standard bond in the case because of Brown allegedly having a handgun and drugs on school property. The judge denied the motion, setting a $15,000 surety bond.
IPS released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
"IPS Police arrested an adult trespasser on the grounds of Arsenal Technical High School on Monday, July 31. At no point did this individual gain physical entrance to any of the school’s buildings, nor was he in close proximity to any students on campus. During this incident, IPS Police and school staff followed district protocols."