18-year-old arrested after taking gun to football game in Tarrant County, police say

An 18-year-old man was arrested Thursday evening after taking a loaded gun to a football game in Tarrant County, police say.

North Richland Hills police said in a Facebook post that Birdville ISD administration alerted officers about 9 p.m. that a person believed to have a weapon had been pointed out to them.

Off-duty officers along with BISD security located the man at the Birdville Fine Arts Athletics Complex during the game. A handgun with an extended magazine was found in his waistband, police said.

The man, identified as Patrick Mitchell of Haltom City, was taken into custody on a charge of possession of a firearm in a weapon-free zone. It is unclear whether Mitchell has an attorney.

Officers have not discovered evidence to support any “planned act of violence by the man or any other person,” police said in the Facebook post.

The department urged people to speak up if they see something suspicious. It added that tips made to officials “allowed officers to investigate, locate the weapon and keep those attending the game safe.”

Mitchell remained in custody Saturday at the Tarrant County jail, where records show he also is being held on a charge of interference with public duties. His bail is set at $50,000.