Local law enforcement officials believe Calaveras Elementary
School administrators did a good job in securing the school after a
gun scare prompted a two-hour emergency lockdown Friday, and
parents say they’re not worried about further outbreaks of
violence.
Hollister – Local law enforcement officials believe Calaveras Elementary School administrators did a good job in securing the school after a gun scare prompted a two-hour emergency lockdown Friday, and parents say they’re not worried about further outbreaks of violence.
“From a police department standpoint, they did what needed to be done to help us,” Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller said Monday. “I would caution over-reacting – it’s a shame that adults are bringing guns on campus, but we’ve only had one incident like this.”
Calaveras Elementary School went into an emergency two-hour lockdown Friday when two parents – one carrying a gun – got into a fight in the parking lot during the school’s Christmas program, according to police.
Police believe the two Hollister men, Peter Prado, 27, and Mark Farve, 37, began fighting over a personal dispute. The men, whose children attend the school, were on campus to watch the program. While they both have gang ties police do not believe the incident was gang-related. No one was injured and no shots were fired, and Miller said he could “only speculate” on why Prado brought a gun to the program. Farve and Prado were booked into the San Benito County Jail on a number of charges, and both have a criminal record – Prado was booked on an attempted murder charge in 1999, according to jail personnel.
But Calaveras Parent Teacher Organization President Trudy Nicodemus, who volunteers daily at the school her children attend, believes the school remains a safe place. Nicodemus believes police, sheriff’s deputies and school officials did an excellent job in responding to the incident and ensuring the safety of all students after Principal Christine White initiated a “Code Blue” procedure and locked all entrances to the school.
“It was an unfortunate incident,” Nicodemus said. “I think they should have had enough sense to keep it away from school, but it’s an isolated incident and it will probably never happen again. We live in a neighborhood with gangs – it could have happened anywhere.”
Prado was arrested for possession of a firearm on campus, possession of a firearm by a felon, assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a deadly weapon. Both Prado and Farve were arrested for fighting on campus, and Farve also was charged with violating a court order, according to police.
Farve was released after posting bail on Saturday and Prado remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail, but both men are no strangers to the confines of the jail. Since 1997, Prado has been booked nine times on numerous charges, including drug possession, robbery and attempted murder, according to jail personal. Farve has been jailed eight times over the past eight years on charges including parole violation, drug possession and driving under the influence. Under District Attorney John Sarsfield’s new zero-tolerance policy, which prohibits plea bargaining on any gun or gang-related crimes, Prado will not be able to strike a deal for a reduced charge.
While Miller advised residents not to panic, he said the incident is being treated seriously.
“We’re looking at all possible charges,” he said. “This is totally, completely unacceptable.”
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or
br******@fr***********.com
.
