A 14-year-old boy was caught bringing an unloaded 9mm handgun to his Crown Heights school Tuesday. Officers confiscated the gun, along with two partially loaded magazines, from the student's backpack just before 1 p.m. yesterday at the Dr. Gladstone H. Atwell Middle School, according to the police.
The News reports that the student went to see the school's dean, "claiming he was having trouble with kids outside the school." When the dean pulled the student aside and asked whether or not he had a weapon, the 14-year-old replied "You know me."
"This is profoundly disturbing and we are working in close partnership with NYPD to investigate this incident," Education Department spokeswoman Toya Holness said in a statement. "There is zero tolerance for weapons of any kind and nothing is more important than the safety of all students and staff. Families will be notified and we are providing additional supports to the school community."
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that the boy has been charged with second and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds and unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds.
The incident marks the third time in a week that a New York City student has been caught bringing a gun to school. Last week an 11-year-old 5th grader carried a loaded handgun to school in Queens, flashing it in front of his classmates before authorities could confiscate it. In a separate incident, a Queens 15-year-old brought a .38 calibur handgun to York Early College Academy in Jamaica, Queens. Following the incident, Holness told the Times “This is deeply alarming and we are working closely with NYPD to ensure that all students and staff are safe.”
