Everman police arrest 2, seize gun outside of high school football game thanks to tip
EVERMAN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — Thanks to a tip, a Tarrant County Sheriff's off-duty deputy and the Everman Police Department were able to stop a possible threat to a high school football game on Friday.
A spokesperson for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office said that on Sept. 16, an off-duty deputy received a credible tip about a threat to the Everman High School Homecoming football game.
The deputy went back into service and went to Everman to help find the suspect. He passed on the information to Everman police, who dispatched additional units to assist the officers already assigned to the game who were providing security.
"It was pretty evident to us that this individual was en route here to do some harm, we had approximately 3,000 people here at the stadium full," said Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer.
Near the Everman High School football stadium, officers spotted a vehicle that matched the description given in the tip. They conducted a traffic stop and detained three people inside of the car.
An AR-15 style gun and a 60-round magazine - both of which the suspect had allegedly purchased earlier that day - were both recovered as well. Potentially stopping a mass shooting incident from taking place.
"There's no telling what would have happened here, those officers saved a lot of lives," added Spencer.
At the game that night was Benjamin Cunniff who was there to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the state championship title he was a part of.
But tells CBS 11 News he had no what was happening outside the stadium and thankful nothing did occur.
"Something could have happened and I could have been dead," said Cunniff.
Two suspects aged 18 and 17 were arrested and have been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm in a prohibited place. A 10-year-old passenger was picked up by a parent.
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office and Everman police are still investigating.