SANTA CLARITA, CA. (THECOUNT) — The investigation into exactly how Saugus High School student, Nathaniel “Nate” Berhow, obtained a 45-caliber pistol he used to shoot several of his classmates – has hit a snag – as authorities now say the sidearm appears to have been modified from its original form, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Law enforcement sources familiar with the tragic shooting say the handgun used by the teen was “modified from its original form,” say sources.
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Although investigators were able to successfully identify six other weapons seized at the home of the shooter, they were unable to ID the weapon used in the commission of Thursday’s Saugus High School shooting.
“The gun was purchased in one form and had a cosmetic feature or barrel changed,” law enforcement official sources said Friday.
Another ‘modification’ not noted by the law enforcement sources would be the filing off of identifying serial numbers.
Officials did not say what brand of 45-caliber pistol the shooter used and even if the barrel was replaced, the serial number would be located on the trunk of the weapon.
“We know the make and the model,” LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told NBC’s Miguel Almaguer. “We’re not going to release that information until they do their complete analysis of the firearm itself. All we can release right now, is we know it’s a 45, we’re going through it, our firearms experts are going through it, and we’re being assisted by the ATF.”
It is unclear why officials are unable to identify the weapon Berhow used to kill three people, including himself.
Numerous other firearms were found during a search of the home where the 16-year-old Saugus High School attacker lived, including assault weapons and handguns. Law enforcement officials said they were also investigating whether the teen had unlawful access to the weaponry, reports KNBC on Friday evening.
ATF agents accounted for all of the guns once registered to the teen’s father, most of which were seized by the Sheriff’s Department several years ago.
Villanueva said there were also weapons that were not registered to the father. “Some of the firearms were not registered at all.”
Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said Thursday guns and gun parts were found in several different areas of the home.
The guns removed from the family’s home several years ago were destroyed, the sources said. The seizure followed an incident which led to the father undergoing a mental health evaluation, they said.
DEVELOPING::
Geo quick facts: Santa Clarita is a California city north of Los Angeles. It’s known for the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park, with many roller coasters. The adjacent Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a summertime water park with tall slides and a wave pool. The prehistoric stone formations of Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park have served as a backdrop for many films. William S. Hart Park has a museum dedicated to the silent-film star – wikipedia.