Chinle Homecoming Student Reported Armed, Arrested; Pellet Gun Seized, No Injuries

School staff at Chinle High School disarmed and restrained a person who was reported to be armed during the homecoming dance in the cafeteria on the evening of Sept. 28, and Navajo Nation Police arrested the individual, officials said. The weapon recovered was described as a pellet gun, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported, and students were evacuated to the Wildcat Den for reunification with families.

An officer received a report that a student at the dance may have been armed; KOAT reported an officer was told an 18-year-old student was involved, while 12News said officers were conducting a security check when someone alerted them that a person at the dance might be armed. School staff located the person, disarmed, restrained and handcuffed the individual, then turned the scene over to Navajo Police for arrest and an evidence search.

The Chinle Unified School District, in a press release quoted by the Navajo-Hopi Observer, said, "We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct a thorough investigation." The district added, "The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community remain our top priority." School officials made counselors available to students and staff following the incident.

Reports agree the weapon seized was a pellet gun; 12News provided a more specific description, saying the suspect reportedly carried a "Glock 17 pellet hand gun." Multiple outlets that later clarified the situation emphasized there were no shots fired and no injuries during the incident.

Reporting diverges on the suspect’s identity and age. Navajo-Hopi Observer and KOAT described the arrested person as an 18-year-old student, and KOAT noted that the student was not identified by police. 12News identified the suspect as 20-year-old Ferlondo James and reported that it was unclear whether James was enrolled at Chinle High School; 12News also said officials reported the suspect was found to be intoxicated at the time.

Some students fled the cafeteria when the weapon was seen and the arrest occurred; others were escorted to the Wildcat Den and later released to parents. A photograph by Todd Smith shows Navajo Police Department vehicles securing the area outside the Wildcat Den as students waited for pickup.

Chinle Unified closed schools to students on Sept. 30 and moved to virtual learning Oct. 1–4 as a precaution, the Navajo-Hopi Observer reported. Navajo Nation officials also announced a policy change, saying, "Beginning Monday, the Navajo Police Department will assign an officer from each police district to serve as a school liaison with all schools on the Navajo Nation. These include all public, Bureau of Indian Education and charter schools."

Authorities have not yet released a public booking report or formal charges that specify whether the case will be handled as juvenile or adult filings. Reporters are seeking confirmation of the suspect’s identity and age, the exact nature of the weapon recovered, whether intoxication was documented in an official report, and any charges filed by Navajo Nation Police.