The gun that a Maplewood Middle School student brought to school Wednesday was a 9 mm Glock handgun loaded with hollow point bullets, said Maplewood Police.
The investigation has not uncovered any specific threat to a person or people, said Capt. Dawn Williams in a release sent to media. The release did not address how the student obtained the weapon.
The boy, a 13-year-old in 7th grade, was charged with possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and possession of penetrating bullets; additional charges are pending further investigation. The student is currently in custody at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center. According to a school spokeswoman, the student will not be returning to MMS.
Here is the entire release:
On 06/03/15 at approximately 1203 PM, Maplewood Police Officers responded to the Maplewood Middle School for a report of a student armed with a weapon. The school was placed in a Code Red status and the appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the students and staff. Maplewood Officers with assistance from the South Orange Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department conducted the necessary searches and the school was subsequently able to resume normal operations. As a result of the incident, a juvenile male and student of Maplewood Middle School was taken into custody for possession of a handgun.
The following is updated information regarding the incident:
The juvenile taken into custody is a 7th grader at Maplewood Middle School and is 13 years of age. The weapon recovered is a 9mm Glock handgun that was loaded with hollow point bullets. The investigation has not revealed any indication that there was a specific threat against any person or persons. The juvenile has been charged with; Possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and possession of penetrating bullets. He was subsequently turned over to The Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.
Additional charges are pending further investigation.
