A Santana High School staff member came across a pistol on the grounds of the campus prior to the start of classes Wednesday morning.
The employee made the discovery after noticing shards of broken glass in a faculty parking lot at the Santee secondary school about 6:15 a.m., according to sheriff's officials.
"As she went to clear the debris, she observed a handgun on the ground," Sgt. Joe Passalacqua said. "At the time the firearm was discovered, no children were present."
A deputy assigned to provide security at the North Magnolia Avenue campus took possession of the firearm. Detectives are trying to determine who owns the gun and how it wound up at the school.
"The Sheriff's Department has not received any threats for the school, and at this point (investigators believe) this is an isolated incident," Passalacqua said.
