Westgate student has gun at school; arrested

A Westgate High School student was arrested Thursday and charged with bringing a weapon to campus, according to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

IPSO spokesman Maj. Wendell Raborn said Westgate High School Principal Neely Moore alerted the school resource officer there may be a student with a weapon on campus. 

The principal detained 19-year-old Deon’tre Joseph of New Iberia, and during a search of the student’s backpack found a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol and ammunition, Raborn said.

No motive was released for his possession of a gun at school, according to Raborn. 

“It’s always extremely unfortunate when a student makes a such a poor decision,” Superintendent of Schools Dale Henderson said Thursday evening. 

“The school administration and resource officer handled the incident very quickly. They are all to be commended.” 

Henderson said the student is expelled from school.

Joseph was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail for illegal carrying of weapons and carrying a firearm on school property. 

No bond has been set as of Thursday night.