14-year-old boy charged after allegedly bringing loaded gun to New Jersey school
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A 14-year-old boy is facing charges after allegedly bringing a loaded gun to school in New Jersey Wednesday.
The incident happened at the James F. Murray School, PS 38, on Stegman Avenue in Jersey City. The school serves pre-K through eighth-grade students.
Authorities say it was career day at the school, so there were already police officers, SWAT team members, firefighters and members of the bomb squad inside the building.
The suspect was reportedly caught by the school resource officer with the firearm in his bag, which he claimed he brought for personal protection.
School officials say a parent informed them of the concern, and the school notified police and located the weapon inside the bag in the boy's locker.
The eighth-grade student was immediately taken into custody and arrested.
The teen is charged with possession of a handgun by a minor, possession of a weapon inside an educational institution, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Officials say they do not believe any students were ever in danger, but for parents -- who say they were never notified until they arrived to pick up their children -- it is a terrifying development at a school that teaches students as young as 5.
The investigation is ongoing, but officials say things happened so quietly that most in the school were unaware of the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.
----------
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
