Deer Park student bought gun days before bringing it to high school, records show

DEER PARK, Texas – A 20-year-old Pasadena man is charged, accused of selling a handgun to a 17-year-old who brought the weapon to school three days after buying it.

The initial incident happened on Dec. 11 at the Deer Park High School - South Campus. Court documents say the school resource officer received an anonymous tip that the teenager had brought a gun with him to the school.

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Authorities found a 9mm handgun inside of the student’s backpack. The teenager was arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon at a prohibited place.

Officers looked through the teenager’s phone and also obtained bank records showing a payment of $399.91 was made from the teen’s Zelle account to Jesus Emillo Rodriguez, 20, according to the court documents.

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Messages between the teen and Rodriguez also showed the 17-year-old had bought the handgun from Rodriguez three days before bringing the gun to the school.

Rodriguez is currently wanted and is charged with unlawful transfer of a weapon to a child.