Published Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 | 12:51 p.m.
Updated Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 | 2:03 p.m.
Heidi Jordan
Map of Mojave
Clark County School District Police identified the Mojave High School teacher who was arrested Thursday after officials found a handgun in a student’s backpack as 32-year-old Heidi Jordan.
Police said Jordan, a three-year special education teacher at the North Las Vegas high school, knew about the gun for three days and didn’t report it to authorities. Jordan was charged with child endangerment, a Class B felony, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor.
“(Jordan) suspected there was a firearm, but failed to do anything about it,” said Detective Mitch Maciszak, adding that police were investigating whether she saw the weapon. However, as a licensed teacher, she was legally obligated to report it, he said.
Officers were alerted about the gun on campus Thursday after they received an anonymous tip at 9:15 a.m. Police recovered a 9-millimeter Taurus handgun with four live rounds from two students in Jordan’s class. The school wasn’t placed on lockdown because the gun was “isolated” quickly, Maciszak said.
The two students – a 10th grader and 11th grader – were arrested and charged with possession of a dangerous weapon on school property and possession of an unregistered firearm, police said. They were booked into the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, police said, but police weren’t releasing their names because of their ages.
A third student, who is 18, is being investigated for possible involvement, but hasn’t been arrested, police said.
According to Jordan’s arrest report, the two students said they exchanged the handgun in Jordan’s classroom Wednesday. They said Jordan saw the gun, and on Thursday she told the students “to be careful” and to get rid of it, according to the report.
However, Jordan told police she never saw the gun, but suspected they were in possession of the gun, according to the report.
Police said the students’ intent remains unclear, but so far, the investigation hasn’t identified any gang-related or bullying motives. Police said they are still investigating where the students got the gun.
However, the students knew the dangers of bringing a gun to campus, Maciszak said.
“Through my investigation and speaking with the students, they do know the difference between right and wrong,” he said.
Extra police officers were present at Mojave High School on Friday, but “it’s business as usual,” Maciszak said.
Mojave High School is Rattler Nation, but really it’s home to underdogs.
Minutes from the Nellis Air Force Base the school is nestled near Commerce Street and West Ann Road, an area littered with foreclosed homes.
The school is attended by many students who are underprivileged or at-risk. After Mojave failed to meet No Child Left Behind standards it became one of five Clark County Schools determined to do a 180.
In order to make the turnaround a reality, Mojave has implemented new faculty, extended the school day by 20 minutes and is geared towards boosting school spirit.
“The problem we have right now is that our children aren’t proud of their own school,” Mojave principal Antonio Rael explained an August interview. “When our children begin to take pride in our school, our community will follow.”
- Year built:
- 1997
- Mascot:
- Rattle Snake
- Principal (Year Hired):
- Antonio Rael (2001)
- School motto:
- “Promoting Achievement, Creating Success”
- Mission Statement:
- “The Mission of the Mojave High School Community is to provide a safe learning environment that will empower students to develop excellence, pride, respect, and skills necessary for future success.”
- Enrollment:
- Approximately 2,000
- School Report Card:
- 2010-2011
Compiled by Gregan Wingert
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