After Gun Brought to Zanewood and Park Center, Juvenile and Youth Worker Arrested
POLICE: YOUTH WORKER AT ZANEWOOD RETURNED HANDGUN TO MINOR AFTER SEARCH
Brooklyn Park Police arrested a 16-year-old male on April 17 for possession of a handgun while on Park Center High School property.
According to Brooklyn Park Police, the juvenile had previously been in possession of the handgun while at Zanewood Recreation Center.
Following the incident, a youth outreach worker at Zanewood Recreation Center was arrested for furnishing a firearm to a minor.
Handgun found at Zanewood
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 14, Brooklyn Park youth outreach workers discovered that a 16-year-old male had brought a handgun to Zanewood in a backpack, according to a press release.
“Upon lifting the bag, outreach workers thought it felt heavy,” the press release reads. “When feeling the outside of the bag the outreach workers believed there may be a gun inside and searched the bag.”
Outreach workers discovered a handgun in the backpack, then returned both the backpack and handgun to the juvenile, telling him to leave the property.
Brooklyn Park Police arrested a 16-year-old male on April 17 for possession of a handgun while on Park Center High School property. According to Brooklyn Park Police, the juvenile had previously been in possession of the handgun while at Zanewood Recreation Center.
Park Center arrest
Brooklyn Park Police were alerted to the Zanewood incident at approximately 11 a.m. on April 17.
Investigators soon determined that the same 16-year-old may be near Park Center High School.
The School Resource Officer on site at Park Center and school administrators located the juvenile on Park Center property.
Officers arrested the juvenile without further incident. He was in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest.
On April 19, Brooklyn Park Police arrested the youth outreach worker involved in the incident.
According to the press release, the outreach worker was an independent contractor. Their contact was terminated April 19.
The youth outreach worker remains in police custody at the Hennepin County Jail. Brooklyn Park Police have referred the case to the Hennepin County Attorney’s office for charges.
The city of Brooklyn Park has began an internal investigation into the incident. This investigation is separate from the criminal investigation.
“There are some unknowns right now as investigations are pending,” said communications manager Risikat Adesaogun. “We have numerous protocols in place to ensure the safety of the young people who visit our rec center and we continue to work with the the Brooklyn Park Police Department and our partners at Osseo Area Schools.”
Police recently evacuated students at Jackson Middle School and Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy after a bomb threat.
