Carabineros arrested two high school seniors at Liceo C-25 in Talcahuano after a homemade shotgun, a knife, and doses of marijuana were discovered in a classroom.
The police intervention was launched following a 133 emergency call, which reported that the youths had taken photographs with the firearm in the school's restroom.
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Section of the 2nd Talcahuano Precinct identified and located the suspects, aged 18 and 19. Upon searching their belongings inside the classroom, officers found the weapon and the illegal substances.
According to police sources, one of the detainees has a prior criminal record for assault, possession of a bladed weapon, and domestic violence.
Wave of threats hitting schools
The operation comes amid a series of shooting threats that have targeted various educational institutions across the Biobío and Metropolitan regions.
In Talcahuano, Colegio Adventista, Colegio Inmaculada Concepción, and Colegio Sagrados Corazones de Hualpén suspended classes this Tuesday after receiving security alerts.
Liceo La Asunción also had to send students home on Monday after a note was discovered in one of the restrooms warning of a shooting.
In the city of Concepción, Juan Gregorio Las Heras school reported similar threats, while the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC) activated preventive protocols at its San Andrés Campus.
In Santiago, the Mayor of Lo Barnechea, Felipe Alessandri, reported shooting threats at schools within his district and announced the activation of security protocols and control measures in coordination with Carabineros.