Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced today that Alonzo Williams Jr. was charged* with a dangerous weapon violation (possess dangerous weapon on school property) and possession of a firearm or ammunition by an ineligible person (under 18) — both charges are felony-level offenses. Williams made his first appearance today in Juvenile Court, presided by Judge Christopher Lehmann.
According to the petition filed in Dakota County District Court, on April 2 at approximately 10:45 a.m., Burnsville Police Department responded to a report of a firearm at Burnsville High School.
Earlier that morning, school officials were made aware of the firearm by concerned students who witnessed Williams taking a video of himself with a gun in a school bathroom. Williams was located in the school and escorted to the dean's office where the gun was found in his backpack. Police later identified the firearm as a Sig Sauer handgun with a fully loaded magazine containing 21, 9 mm rounds.
Williams shared that he purchased the gun from an unknown male for protection at school. No specific threats of harm or violence were directed at him, nor did Williams threaten any other students.
Williams was taken into custody to the Juvenile Services Center in Hastings, where he was ordered to remain during today's detention hearing.
“I'm grateful for the Burnsville Police Department's quick and timely response to this incident," said Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena. “I also commend how the staff members at Burnsville High School immediately reacted to the situation."
Williams' next court appearance is scheduled for April 16 in Hastings.
*Delinquency charges are not evidence of guilt. A juvenile/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.