Santa Maria, Calif.  – A School Resource Deputy (SRD) confiscated a loaded handgun from a student at Righetti High School. On Monday, September 22, 2025, at approximately 1:30 pm, a Righetti High School staff member alerted the on-campus School Resource Deputy (SRD) about a male student who was possibly smoking marijuana in a bathroom.

SRD Reynoso responded immediately and ordered the student to stop. The student refused to follow instructions and tried to walk away. When SRD Reynoso attempted to stop him, the student resisted. During the struggle, SRD Reynoso sustained minor injuries, including a cut on his finger and an abrasion on his elbow. The student was placed under arrest.

While searching the student’s belongings as part of the arrest process, deputies discovered multiple marijuana vapes and a loaded .22 caliber revolver hidden in the student’s backpack. The student was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance before being booked into Santa Maria Juvenile Hall for charges including;  possessing a firearm on school grounds, resisting arrest, and possession of marijuana on school grounds by a person under 18.

This swift and coordinated response between Righetti High School administrators and SRD Reynoso ensured that the firearm was safely confiscated before it could be used, preventing what could have been a tragedy.