Arizona school shaken by 2 back-to-back tragedies
Within a 48-hour time period, students at Highland High School lost classmates to an arrest and a suicide.
GILBERT, Ariz. — A somber atmosphere hangs over Highland High School this week after two back-to-back incidents shook the East Valley community. Within a 48-hour span, the school experienced a campus lockdown triggered by a student allegedly bringing a firearm to school, followed just one day later by the tragic death of a student by suicide.
The events have left students, parents, and educators reeling — and now, two local teen mental health advocates are urging families to use this moment as a wake-up call.
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“They’re crying for help out loud, whether it’s through violence, teen violence, domestic violence, self harm and violence. We’re seeing it,” community advocate Bridget Vega said. “I would say the children, and especially the boys, are not okay when it comes to the mental health.”
On Tuesday morning, Gilbert police responded to reports of a gun on Highland High School’s campus. While no one was harmed during the incident, authorities later located a 17-year-old student in a nearby neighborhood in possession of the weapon. The teen was arrested and police say he is linked to a home burglary that had taken place three days prior.
Just over 24 hours later, the community was rocked again. A student reported missing Wednesday evening was discovered dead on school grounds. While police say no foul play is suspected, those close to the situation say the student died by suicide.
“As someone who has worked in suicide prevention and has personally lost friends to suicide, there really are no words to describe the devastation,” said Katey McPherson, a long-time youth advocate and educator.
Both Vega and McPherson have been vocal about the urgent need to focus on the mental health of teen boys across the East Valley — a concern that now feels painfully urgent.
“People see these incidents, and they say, not in my backyard. It doesn’t happen here. It doesn’t happen in Gilbert. It doesn’t happen in Chandler, but it is, and we continue to see stories tragically continually brought to the light,” Vega said.
The advocates emphasized that while tragedies like this are deeply painful, they also offer a critical opportunity — a moment for adults to step up, listen, and act.
“They’re not told, I love you. They’re not told, I’m proud of you. They want that connection and they need that emotional support, and even if it’s just a hug,” Vega said.
She, and McPherson believe it’s time to move beyond just raising awareness.
“We now have an on campus suicide. We’ve had multiple guns in schools, not just in Gilbert, all over the state. “There’s no zip code that is held harmless from this, and it is time for the adults in the room to get with it.”
Gilbert Police offered the following resources that are available to teens who may be struggling with suicide:
Help is available through the 24/7 Teen Lifeline at 602-248-8336 (TEEN) or by calling or texting 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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