13-year-old student brings gun to Ambridge Area Middle School, authorities say
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 13-year-old student in the Ambridge Area School District brought a loaded gun to school and threatened a classmate on Wednesday, authorities said.
In an email to parents, the district said a weapon was found at Ambridge Area Middle School after a student became aware of a threat and reported it to the principal. Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible said a 13-year-old student brought his parents' gun to school. The gun was locked up at the home, officials said.
Sources told KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso that a metal detector went off at the school, but somehow the student got through with the loaded weapon.
Bible said the 13-year-old student allegedly threatened another student in a bathroom. It was reported to the principal, and Ambridge police officers found the gun. The student was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center in Ohio, sources told KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso.
The district attorney said the teen isn't being charged as an adult at this time. Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca said on Wednesday that he could not release any more details.
"Due to the serious nature of the threat, the police were notified and are investigating," the district's email said.
Concerned parents and relatives peppered the school board at Wednesday's meeting.
"How did that weapon get through the metal detectors?" Roger Kowal said. "We have brand new metal detectors, how did this occur?"
"Are we sure that our kids are going to be safe tomorrow morning when they go there?" he added.
Superintendent Joseph Pasquerilla told the crowd at Wednesday's meeting that staff members helped in the process. They have some training from the company and school resource officers. Pasquerilla said police cleared the middle school after the incident.
The district said it is working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of the staff and students. In Wednesday's email to parents, the district said there would be no changes to the school schedule, but a Facebook post on Wednesday night said the district will follow a flexible instruction day on Thursday. The district plans to reopen schools on Friday.
"The Ambridge Area School District will not tolerate any type of threats and will take whatever action is necessary to remove all threats to our schools," Wednesday's email said.
The district is reminding everyone of Safe2Say Something, the anonymous tip line that allows students and staff to report any threats.