St. Croix Central High School staff found a loaded handgun and marijuana in a backpack left at the campus early Monday afternoon, police said.
When staff searched the backpack to determine its owner, they found an unspecified amount of cannabis and a 9mm handgun loaded and ready to fire. The School Security Bureau alerted the Virgin Islands Police Department at 1 p.m.
Police and school officials were still trying to identify the bag’s owner Tuesday afternoon.
Central High is less than 4,000 feet from John H. Woodson Junior High School, where students eating lunch and playing sports outside were hit with a barrage of pellets on Feb. 16. At least five students suffered non-fatal injuries — cuts and bruises. Police said two males pulled up to the school in a white Acura TLX. One got out and aimed what looked like a rifle, then opened fire.
The car had silver rims and visible damage all down one side. V.I. Police Sgt. Charles Orange asked for the public’s help identifying the car and shooters.
After more than a year away from in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, students returned to class in autumn of 2022 with limited success. In late August and early September, students were arrested and parents escorted off campus after a series of fights at Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas and the St. Croix Educational Complex. Police confiscated knives and other contraband.
