17-year-old accused of robbing 3 LASA students at gunpoint

The Liberal Arts and Science Academy is an advanced magnet school in northeast Austin. 
   
On Thursday an Austin ISD police officer was patrolling the area when he saw 3 LASA students on the 7100 block of Crystalbrook.

"The students flagged him down, immediately reported that they'd just been robbed at gunpoint and pointed out the suspect," said AISD Police Chief Eric Mendez. 

The suspect is 17-year-old Kelvin Holmes.  He was taken into custody and read his rights.

According to the 3 victims, they had just jumped over a brick wall to hang out.   Holmes followed them and demanded they give him marijuana.  When they refused, he pulled a gun, pointed it at them and told them to put their cell phones and wallets into a backpack.

According to police paperwork, in the presence of the officer Holmes walked up to the victims to try and give their stuff back and told them he was quote "only joking."

Holmes told police the 3 were actually smoking the marijuana.  But Austin ISD Police Chief Eric Mendez says that can't be confirmed.

"At the time that the officer made contact no one was in possession of marijuana," Mendez said. 

According to the arrest paperwork, Holmes used a chrome and pink gun that wasn't even loaded.  Mendez says that doesn't change the severity of the charge.

"They saw the gun, they knew it was a real gun, they knew it was pointed at them, it doesn't change anything.  They didn't know it was unloaded at the time," Mendez said.

Ruby Mae Hooper lives right across the street from the school and says she has grandchildren there.

After telling her about the crime just down the street, she has some words of wisdom.

"Young folks like that robbing each other.  That means they need more prayer in their homes.  The parents need to take more patience and have more time with their children," she said.

In a letter to parents, Austin ISD said patrols near campus would be increased today as an extra precaution.
   
Since Holmes is 17, Chief Mendez says he'll be treated as an adult.
   
He's still here in jail on a $20,000 bond.