Man accused of bringing loaded gun onto Cy-Falls High School property

CYPRESS, Texas – A man is accused of bringing a loaded handgun to Cy-Falls High School, the school said Wednesday.

According to a spokeswoman with Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, 18-year-old Tyrodney Jefferson brought a .22-caliber handgun to the high school on Monday. Jefferson is not a student at the school, and school officials are unsure where he goes to school, if at all, officials said.

A staff member noticed Jefferson on the school grounds and that he did not have a clear backpack, a violation of the school's policy, the district said. 

The school's spokeswoman said Jefferson ran from officers off the campus and dropped a backpack in the process of fleeing. When officers searched the backpack, the loaded gun was located. 

The district released the following statement: 

Identification and intervention of possible threats are key components of CFISD’s Safety and Security Action Plan. Because the individual’s backpack was not in compliance with the CFISD clear backpack policy and he was not wearing an ID badge, school employees were quickly able to identify him as a trespasser and notify law enforcement.  We work diligently to maintain a safe school environment for every student and staff member at Cypress Falls High School. We are grateful for the quick identification of a possible threat to our campus and to CFPD for their rapid response.

Jefferson was arrested and charged with possession of a prohibited weapon.

The following letter was sent to parents from Cypress Falls High School Principal Becky Denton:

Dear Parents and Guardians,  

It is important that you have accurate information about a situation that occurred this week at Cypress Falls High School. On Monday, a staff member identified a trespasser on the school grounds, not inside the building, and quickly notified law enforcement. The individual left the campus and was apprehended soon after by the Cypress-Fairbanks Police Department. He was detained and searched, upon which a firearm was discovered, and the individual was arrested. The individual is not a current Cypress Falls High School student or employee. 

Law enforcement is continuing to investigate, and if any CFISD students were involved in the incident, they will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct.

Identification and intervention of possible threats are key components of CFISD’s Safety and Security Action Plan. Because the individual’s   backpack was not in compliance with the CFISD clear backpack policy and he was not wearing an ID badge, school employees were quickly able to identify him as a trespasser and notify law enforcement.  We work diligently to maintain a safe school environment for every student and staff member at Cypress Falls High School. We are grateful for the quick  identification of a possible threat to our campus and to CFPD for their rapid response. As a reminder to all Eagles, “if you see something, say something”!