MARIETTA – One of the two Wheeler High School students arrested last week on gun-related charges was reportedly carrying a weapon that the serial number was removed for the “purpose of concealing or destroying the identity,” the warrant states.
Christopher Taylor Bradwell, 17, of Marietta was arrested Friday morning on charges of felony carrying a weapon in a school zone and altering an ID mark and misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a pistol by a minor.
He was released on bond just before 10 p.m. that same day.
According to the warrant, Bradwell is accused of carrying a 25-caliber semi-automatic pistol on the Wheeler campus between 9:30 and 10 a.m. The weapon was reportedly concealed in the student’s “right, front pocket of his sweat-type jacket that he was wearing at the time.”
Bradwell was charged with “altered ID mark” for knowing that the serial number on the weapon had been removed, the warrant continues.
Wheeler Principal Dr. David Chiprany posted a letter on the school’s website sometime after the incident telling informing the school community of the arrests.
He also said that a student tipped off school administrators and that the school resource officers confiscated two “unloaded” guns from two students “without incident.”
The identity of the second student has not been released by the district or police.
They were both taken into custody and Chiprany reminded parents that students who bring weapons “of this nature” will be expelled.
“I want to commend the student who brought this situation to our attention,” he stated in the note to parents. “Students are a critical part of our ability to maintain a safe school campus. Please encourage your child to report any activity that they see or hear that they feel is a threat to their safety. This is an example of how our collaborative efforts can help ensure a safe and secure school campus.”
According to previous arrest records, Bradwell was also arrested Jan. 8 on charges of misdemeaner theft by taking.
Please check tomorrow’s MDJ to learn more about the second student arrested in the incident.
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Which makes this even scarier to parents.
Thanks goes to the young ladies and gentlemen who told what they knew. These young people had the courage to tell, the moral compass, and likely the leadership qualities that all our schools need. I'm a mom at another high school, but what I know now about Wheeler is that many kids there are really top notch.