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Las Cruces High School Student Charged After Social Media Post

An 18-year-old high school student suspected of posting a Snapchat photo of himself holding a rifle and referencing “school shooter” in the text was arrested Wednesday after officers found him in possession of a butterfly knife and brass knuckles.

Ernest Padilla, 18, of the 8900 block of Calle de Brazito in Mesilla Park, is charged with one count of unlawful carrying a deadly weapon on school premises. The charge is a fourth-degree felony count.

On Feb. 21, shortly before classes ended for the day, administrators at Las Cruces High School learned of a Snapchat post of Padilla holding what appears to be an assault rifle. The text associated with the photo read, in part, “Mexican school shooter 2k18 jk guys.” Administrators alerted the Las Cruces Police Department’s school resource officer on campus and the school was placed on lockdown status.

Padilla was taken into custody shortly thereafter and, since classes had just ended for the day, the lockdown was lifted and all other students were allowed to leave.

Officers secured Padilla’s vehicle and searched Padilla. Officers found a butterfly knife in his pants pocket and a set of brass knuckles on Padilla’s keychain. No firearm was found on Padilla or in his vehicle. Police ultimately recovered the rifle depicted in his Snapchat photo at Padilla’s residence.

Padilla was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.

Information from Las Cruces Police