Sierra Vista High student arrested after rifle found in car at school

An 18-year-old student at Sierra Vista High School was charged with having a weapon on campus after officials found a rifle and ammunition in his car.

Lt. Ken Young said Joseph Patella, a senior at the school, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center in connection with possessing a dangerous weapon on school property.

Patella was discussing something with school administrators when he mentioned he had forgotten to take a .22-caliber rifle and ammunition out of his car after target shooting Monday night, Young said.

School officials found the items in his car and contacted Clark County School District Police, Young said. Sierra Vista High School was never under lockdown during the incident.

Bail for Patella was set at $2,000, according to Clark County Detention Center records. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.