Lake Charles Teen Faces Charges After Weapon Found At School

(KMDL-FM) The 2026-2027 Louisiana school year has just begun, and for the most part, school systems in South Louisiana and along the I-10 corridor that are back in session have returned to learning without incident. That was until yesterday, when details were released concerning the arrest of an 18-year-old Louisiana student on weapons charges.

Student at Sam Houston High School Arrested on Weapons Charges

The individual who is facing charges in this case has been identified as Ja'Vonte E. Pete of Lake Charles. Pete was reported to be a student at Sam Houston High School in the Greater Lake Charles area.

Authorities were alerted to the fact that a student could potentially have a weapon in his possession on school grounds at about 2:50 pm. Officers at the scene contacted the student in question and conducted a search of his backpack.

During that search, deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department discovered the weapon and detained him without incident. Further investigation of the weapon that was recovered determined that the firearm had been stolen out of Texas. The investigation into the firearm and how the teenager obtained possession are still under investigation.

Louisiana Teen Could Face Jail Time on Weapons Charges

If convicted, Pete could face imprisonment for up to five years for having a firearm on a Louisiana high school campus. Pete could also face jail time on the stolen weapons charges as well. According to Louisiana law, illegal possession of a stolen firearm is subject to imprisonment for one to five years for a first offense. If it's a subsequent offense, the penalty could be expanded to imprisonment for two to ten years.

According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, its investigation into the stolen weapon charges and the charges levied against Pete for possession of a firearm on a school campus are ongoing.

Perhaps this might be a good time for parents to consider the safety of the learning environment in which they are sending their kids every day. If that thought has crossed your mind, here are some ideas to consider.

Louisiana’s 6 Best Private Schools Ranked

For many Louisiana parents, choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions they'll make for their children. While public schools educate the majority of students across the state, private schools continue to attract families looking for smaller class sizes, college-preparatory programs, faith-based education, and specialized learning opportunities.

With hundreds of private schools operating throughout Louisiana, a handful consistently stand out for academic excellence, student success, college placement rates, extracurricular opportunities, and overall reputation.

U.S. News & World Report has released their list of what they say are the 6 best private schools in Louisiana

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott