Scottsdale police have referred a criminal case against the Cactus Shadows High School athletic director to the city prosecutor's office. The employee allegedly failed to report that someone brought a firearm onto the Cave Creek campus on Sept. 11.
Cave Creek Unified School District Superintendent Nicole Regan disclosed the referral in an Oct. 22 message to Cactus Shadows parents, first reported by the Scottsdale Independent. The Scottsdale Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into both the gun allegation and how the school handled the initial report.
Regan's statement said the employee who received the weapon report "did not follow the standard response protocol of initiating steps to secure the school with students or report an unlawful act to the proper authorities," according to AZFamily.
The athletic director has not been publicly named. No formal criminal charges have been filed. The referral to the Scottsdale City Prosecutor's Office means that office will decide whether charges are warranted.
Regan's statement described the person who allegedly had the gun as a student but also said the individual was not enrolled in the Cave Creek Unified School District. The district did not clarify whether the person attended another school or had some other connection to the campus.
Neither the district nor police have identified what specific criminal statute the prosecutor's office is reviewing in connection with the athletic director's alleged failure to report. No information has been released about any law enforcement action taken against the person who allegedly brought the firearm.
The district said it plans to provide an additional update on Oct. 30.
Residents with information about the incident can contact the Scottsdale Police Department at 480-312-5000.
