Judge sets bond at $75,000 for student who brought pistol to Edinburg North High School

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A judge on Tuesday set bond at $75,000 for a student who brought a pistol to Edinburg North High School.

During a hearing on Tuesday morning, a federal judge set bond for Kinzey Jay Lira, 18, of Edinburg.

Officers arrested Lira on May 6, when they found a black Glock pistol in his backpack.

“He brought the weapon to school, your honor, because he admitted to selling THC vapes at school,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Guerra said during a hearing on May 8. “And he was concerned about protecting himself — for his own safety.”

The semi-automatic pistol had been modified to fire like a fully automatic weapon.

“In addition to that, he had wrapped rubber bands around the grip of the gun because he told agents that the gun was really hard to control when firing fully automatic,” Guerra said.

The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Police Department charged Lira with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a prohibited place, a third-degree felony.

Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Andre Maldonado set bail at $100,000.

The Edinburg CISD Police Department also contacted the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

After questioning Lira, the ATF charged him with unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone.

“And so we rejected the state charges so they could proceed federally,” said First Assistant District Attorney Alex Benavides, adding that state prosecutors could re-file the charge if needed.

Maldonado dismissed the state charge on May 9.

Lira, meanwhile, remained in jail.

He returned to court Tuesday for a bond hearing wearing a gray t-shirt with “Cheer Up Your Friends” printed on the back.

Lira is a danger to the community, Guerra said, and should not be released.

Attorney Oscar Vega of McAllen, who represents Lira, said he believed the judge could set conditions that would address any concerns about safety.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano set bond at $75,000 with a $1,500 cash deposit.

If he posts bond, Lira’s mother will serve as his third-party custodian, Medrano said. She will make sure Lira shows up for court and follows all conditions set by the judge.

Medrano also placed Lira on home incarceration with GPS monitoring.

While on home incarceration, Lira can’t leave the house unless he’s attending a court hearing or a medical appointment.

“I’m willing to revisit the home incarceration at a later time,” Medrano said.

Lira is also required to stay away from drugs.

Guerra, the federal prosecutor, said the government had come across information that suggested Lira used drugs on a daily basis.

“There cannot be any drug use,” Medrano said.