Aidan Rice enters a Door County courtroom March 18, 2024, on a charge he brought a gun to Gibraltar High School. PC: Fox 11 Online
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The criminal case has been halted against a high school student brought a firearm to school because he said he was afraid of another student because the man is not mentally competent to stand trial – a situation that’s unlikely to change, according to a court ruling.
Aidan Rice, 18, faces one count of possession of a firearm on school grounds for the March 15, 2024, incident at Gibraltar High School.
Competency refers to the defendant’s ability to understand the court proceedings and assist in his own defense – something lacking in this case.
“Based upon the competency evaluation report(s), the evidence produced and/or the stipulation of counsel, and upon the entire record and file in this matter, the defendant is presently not competent to proceed in this case and he/she is not likely to become competent within the statutory commitment period,” the ruling filed Monday by Judge Weber states.
Rice will be released from custody, and has to appear in court every six months for a redetermination on competency. Also, Rice may not use or possess any firearms, the order states.
A status conference was scheduled for Nov. 10 during a hearing Friday, court records show.
According to the criminal complaint, a teacher notified the school resource officer Rice may have a weapon. Rice initially denied it, but after a search, the .38 Ruger LCR revolver was discovered. It was loaded with five shells. Police also found six other bullets.
“Rice said he was scared of (a former student) and he felt he needed protection. SRO Bemmann noted that (the former student) has not been at Gibraltar since at least November 2023,” the complaint states. “Rice admitted to bringing the gun to school, and that he knew it was illegal. Rice said that about a week prior, he was at Walmart with his mother, and while he was in the bathroom, (the former student) was pounding on the stall door. Rice said that he brought the gun to school in case he had to defend himself against (the former student),” the complaint states.
“One classmate said that during class on Thursday, March 14, 2024, Rice said something about someone chasing him in a park and then tapped on his jacket. The student said that when Rice did that, he heard what he thought might be coins in Rice’s pocket. The student explained that the more he thought about it, he thought Rice may have had a gun in his pocket because of the solid noise it made,” the complaint states.
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