NY Town Halts Armed School Guard Program After Shot Accidentally Fired By Police Officer
HIGHLAND, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - One New York town has suspended its school armed guard program after a police officer assigned to a high school accidentally shot off a round.
Schools in Highland in the Hudson Valley were each given an armed police officer to guard the public schools in the wake of the Dec. 14 Newtown school massacre.
Officer Sean McCutcheon accidentally discharged his pistol in the hallway while classes were in session around 1:30 Tuesday afternoon, according to the Lloyd Police Department.
There were no staff members or students nearby when the shot went off and no injuries were reported.
The officer has been suspended while an investigation continues, according to Lloyd police.
Following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 first graders and six educators dead, the National Rifle Association called for armed guards in every school in America.
The NRA faced sharp criticism for the recommendation. President Obama convened a gun control and school safety task force in the wake of the shooting rampage.
Highland is about 85 miles north of New York City.
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