Student arrested at Buna High School for weapons violations

4-29-25

Tuesday morning at approximately 8:00 AM, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Buna Independent School District Police Department regarding a possible weapons violation on the campus of the Buna High School.

Deputies arrived on campus and were advised that a student had made a report that he observed a possible weapon (large knife) in another student’s vehicle. An administrative vehicle search was conducted by school officials and a prohibited weapon (large knife) was discovered inside the vehicle along with several vapes.

Deputies arrested the student and identified him as Michael 19-year-old Edward Stanley of Kirbyville. He was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

Any weapons violation on any school campus will not be tolerated. There was never a threat to any students or staff.

Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard wants the public to know that Stanley is considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Havard would like to thank Buna I.S.D. Superintendent Dr. Julie Motomura and her staff for their swift response to this incident.

Buna High School has released the following information:

Buna ISD parents, families, and community,

At around 8AM this morning, HS administration was notified that a student had a weapon in his vehicle. Administrators contacted the Buna ISD Chief of Police who found and detained the student immediately, while the Jasper County Sheriff’s office was then contacted, as well. The administrators and Chief Norton did a search of the vehicle, Jasper County arrived quickly to continue the search, and a large knife was discovered, along with several vapes.

The student is now in the custody of the Jasper County Sheriff’s office.

Please know all students at all campuses were and are safe throughout this incident.

Federal guidelines prohibit the school's release of specific information about the student.

TEA requires a parent notification of situations like this one. Regardless of practices in the past, these honest and forthcoming notifications will be made moving forward.

Buna ISD has a zero tolerance for any dangerous behavior and will always encourage prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

Buna ISD would like to thank the administrators for their quick response, Chief Norton and Officer Chase for ensuring all processes were followed, Sheriff Chuck Havard for his personal attention to the matter, and the Jasper County Sheriff's Office for their VERY quick response to our school.

It is so reassuring to be in a place where we are safe and protected.

Julie Motomura

Superintendent

Buna ISD