Charges: Minneapolis North student pointed gun at student, dean over dice

An 18-year-old is facing criminal charges after he allegedly pointed a gun at a student and dean at a Minneapolis high school last month.

Deandre Antiown Depratto Jr. was charged Friday with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon in connection to the incident.

According to court documents, Minneapolis police were called to North High School at around 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 on a report of threats involving a gun.

Students and staff told officers that Depratto had pulled a gun out of his backpack and pointed it at a student outside a dean’s office. When the dean saw, she stepped between the students and Depratto lowered the gun, then was escorted out of the school, court documents state.

The student Depratto pointed the gun at told police that he and Depratto started arguing over some dice that fell out of his pocket, and that’s when Depratto pulled out the gun.

Another dean told officers he told Depratto to give him the gun, but Depratto refused, so he left with the gun, and administrators told staff to call 911 if Depratto returned.

A warrant application states that just this week, on Tuesday, Depratto’s family then made threats to staff at the school.

The next day, officers found Depratto at his mother’s home and searched the house but didn’t find the gun. When he was taken into custody, he refused to talk to the investigator, court documents state.

Court documents also note that Depratto had an active felony juvenile warrant on suspicion of stealing a vehicle.

He made his first court appearance on the assault charge Friday morning and had his bail set at $100,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions. His next hearing is scheduled for March 27.

Minneapolis Public Schools says it sent the following letter to families after the incident:

Dear North Families,

I’m writing to let you know of a situation that occurred at our school today. In the late afternoon, one of our students brandished a gun at another student. Staff immediately intervened, and the student left the building. We are in touch with the families involved and supporting other students who were present.

Our school immediately went into a lockout, keeping students in their classroom and restricting access into and out of the building. Minneapolis Police were also called and were onsite to offer support.

I want to assure you we take all matters involving weapons seriously. I know it’s hard to hear this kind of information about your child’s school, but I also want to be transparent with you. Maintaining a safe and secure environment at our school is our top priority. Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on school property, and we are committed to following the MPS discipline policy in all matters involving weapons.

We encourage you to listen to what your child is saying and talk with them if you feel that will be helpful. There are resources available on our website to help you do this. We also encourage you to make sure that you keep any weapons you may have in your home properly secured, locked and away from your children.

If you have any questions if your student would like to discuss the situation with a caring adult, please call our main office at 612.668.1700. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Principal Friestleben