Acting on information provided by other students, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Mt. Hermon School student Zackary Hyatt, 17, who was in possession of a .357 revolver.

The revolver, with a partially obliterated serial number, was located in the student’s car, which was parked on campus. The arrest was made Monday morning.

The Sheriff’s Office and school officials have been on alert for the past few days because of an alleged threat of a possible shooter at the school. Officers were at the school again early Monday morning. No shooter and no specific threat were identified, and it is believed that Monday’s arrest is not related to the previous alleged threat.

Hyatt was placed in the Washington Parish Jail charged with possession of a firearm at school and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. No bond has been set at this time.

Hyatt alleges that he purchased the pistol several months ago as protection after having been robbed by a former student. He stated that he had no intention of removing the pistol from his car. The pistol will be submitted to the crime lab for analysis, and detectives are working to locate the person who allegedly sold the pistol to Hyatt.

“This investigation is ongoing. Our detectives will continue to talk with Mr. Hyatt to gain as much information as possible about his motives and the person who sold him the pistol,” Chief Deputy Mike Haley said.

Sheriff Randy Seal also commented on the case.

“Based on information we have at this time, we do not believe this incident is related to the previous rumor last week of a possible shooter at the Mt. Hermon School,” Seal said. “This appears to be a case of very bad judgment on behalf of Mr. Hyatt. We do, however, consider this to be a very serious matter and are glad this pistol is now off of the street and secure in our evidence locker. I commend our detectives for a job well done.”