Jacobs student arrested for bringing paintball gun to school

A Jacobs High School student was arrested Thursday after police found a paintball gun in his backpack, officials said.

The student, whom police did not identify because he is a minor, was charged with disorderly conduct.

The student was arrested about 11:15 a.m. as students were leaving for the day because of previously scheduled early dismissal.

Police and school administrators learned a student might be carrying a weapon when a student who saw the gun and thought it was real reported it to the Jacobs police liaison officer.

"It shows that our best line of defense in any of the incidents are our students," said Ken Arndt, superintendent of Community Unit District 300.

In addition to legal penalties, the student also faces discipline from the district, which does not permit students to bring look-alike weapons to school, Arndt said.

"It definitely is going to receive a high level of attention. These situations will not be ignored," Arndt said.

The superintendent said it's not yet clear what school-level punishment the student will receive.

"We always have to look on a case-by-case basis," Arndt said. "(The) maximum would be school expulsion, but I don't have any of the details."