Sunday, February 24, 2002
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Sunday, February 24, 2002 |
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Former McIntosh students arrested after one takes gun on campus after school Tues. By JOHN MUNFORD
Two former McIntosh High School students were arrested Tuesday after one of them was found to have carried a loaded handgun on campus just after school. The suspect who had the gun originally got away after ditching it in the trash can of a school restroom, said Peachtree City Police Chief Jim Murray. Marlon Splain, 21, formerly of Peachtree City, was arrested hours later and charged with carrying a weapon on school property, carrying a weapon without a permit, carrying a concealed weapon and simple assault. Splain showed the .380-cal automatic pistol to a McIntosh baseball player and when a coach found out about the incident Splain and Ahmed Maarouf, 20, who was with him, were told to go to the office, Murray said. The coach, Joseph Muck, followed them into the school, said school spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach. The two took off after Splain dumped the weapon in a restroom, Murray said. Muck decided to stay with the weapon and secure it rather than chase the two, which was a wise decision, the chief added. The gun was loaded with a full clip although there was not a bullet in the chamber, police said. Splain told police that he did not mean to carry the gun on campus and that he carries it with him all the time and simply forgot about it, Murray said. Police are still investigating the case. "The real question is why was he there and why did he have a loaded gun on his person," Murray said. "And he's a 21-year-old man, so I'd guess it's been a while since he has been in high school." Berry-Dreisbach said the pair's purpose for being on campus was unknown. Splain and Maarouf entered the campus from the back gate before approaching the baseball player, Murray said. At this point it is not known whether the player knew Splain or Maarouf. Detectives were checking computer records to find out the history of the gun as part of the investigation, Murray said. Maarouf, who lives in Peachtree City, was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with loitering. The two suspects entered the campus at the back gate that is adjacent to the baseball and football fields, Murray said. It helped that school resource officer Alan Reeves was on the scene quickly and was able to get a good description of the offenders, Murray said. "That's why we use school resource officers," Murray said. Both Splain and Maarouf are former students at McIntosh, officials confirmed Officials for the school system were proud of the response of the faculty, staff and students to the incident, Berry-Dreisbach said. A letter from school officials was sent home with students Wednesday explaining what happened and how the matter was resolved, Berry-Dreisbach said.
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