Police arrest Springfield teen accused of bringing gun to game at Centerville

The scene at Centerville High School during a game Springfield in the Division I, Region 2 playoffs on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Centerville. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski

Credit: David Jablonski

The scene at Centerville High School during a game Springfield in the Division I, Region 2 playoffs on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Centerville. David Jablonski/Staff

CENTERVILLE — A teen was arrested at Friday night’s Centerville vs. Springfield high school football playoff game after he was discovered with a gun, police said.

The 17-year-old is from Springfield, according to Officer John Davis, spokesman for Centerville Police Department.

“A spectator alerted our officers of another spectator in the stands with a handgun concealed in their pocket,” Davis said. “Our officers quickly identified the subject, and he was taken into custody, and he was charged in the Montgomery County Juvenile Court.”

The teen was arrested for illegal conveyance of a firearm into a school safety zone, a fifth-degree felony, and resisting arrest, a fourth-degree felony. He also was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony, and failure to provide personal information during a criminal investigation, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Centerville police were assigned to the Centerville vs. Springfield football game as security, as per the department’s agreement with Centerville schools, Davis said.

The teen was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center that night, he said.

Centerville School District Superintendent Jon Wesney sent an email to Centerville schools families on Saturday about the incident.

“This is a good reminder to be aware of your surroundings and report anything unusual immediately so it can be investigated by the proper authorities,” Wesney said in the letter.

The district offered counseling and support for students on Monday.

Asked if Friday night’s incident would result in any immediate changes to safety procedures, spokeswoman Sarah Swan said the district’s administrative team “regularly meets with our law enforcement partners to review protocols and continue to evolve our safety procedures.”

“Centerville police officers are on duty at every football game in our stadium, whether Centerville is playing or not,” Swan said.