A judge sentenced a tearful Chula Vista man whose son brought a loaded revolver to school to 30 days in jail.
After serving the jail sentence, 37-year-old Zachariah Dow must wear an ankle monitoring bracelet for 210 days. He’ll be monitored by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department while still being allowed to go to work.
Dow was contrite in court on Thursday, saying he was sorry for the May 21 incident that prompted Hilltop High School to go into lockdown.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to students and staff at Hilltop High,” Dow said. “I’m extremely grateful my son and no one else was hurt that day.”
Dow had earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of child endangerment and possession of a firearm by a felon (he has a domestic violence conviction from a decade ago).
Dow’s then 14-year-old son brought a loaded, .44 caliber revolver to Hilltop High School, according to police. When officers served a search warrant at Dow’s home, they said they discovered another .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol unsecured under a bed. The former sheriff’s deputy surrendered to authorities.
Attorneys have said Dow’s son remains in counseling after being taken to juvenile hall.
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On Thursday, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Gary Haehnle said he was concerned Dow didn’t check whether he had the legal right to own the gun and also had it unlocked with ammunition beneath his bed.
“How many times do we see on the news time and time again of kids taking guns from their parents from unlocked containers and shooting and killing people with those guns,” Haehnle said.
