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Dangerous 6th grade criminal with cap gun busted!
UPDATE: Two students charged with bringing weapons to school By Jim Jaworski TribLocal reporter Thursday at 6:03 p.m. Police arrested two Julian Middle School students who were found in possession of weapons on school property, Oak Park Elementary District 97 officials said this week. A sixth-grade boy on Thursday reportedly brought a small metal cap gun to school. School staff and the police resource officer confiscated the weapon after other students notified them, district officials said. The 12-year-old was arrested at Julian and charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault. “He showed it to some students and displayed it in a threatening manner to others,” said Cmdr. LaDon Reynolds. While both the district and police initially reported that the item was a starter pistol, a small firearm that shoots blanks, Reynolds said that, after they were able to examine the item, it was actually a metal cap gun that closely resembles a firearm. The gun only uses caps that create noise and was not loaded, so Reynolds said no one was in any danger. In a separate incident, an 8th-grade boy allegedly displayed a knife during a verbal altercation with a group of students outside Longfellow Elementary School after dismissal Wednesday. Police said the 14-year-old approached two fifth-grade students and a first-grade student and started mocking and insulting them. “One of the victims said, ‘Leave us alone,’ and there was a verbal altercation, at which time (the 14-year-old) took out a large, silver retractable knife, held it at his side and began walking towards the victims,” Reynolds said. The students ran after seeing the knife and one notified his parents. The eighth-grader was confronted by police after school Thursday and charged with unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault, both misdemeanors. The knife was found on his person during the arrest. “While I am incredibly disappointed by the news of these incidents, I am pleased to report that nobody was harmed in either one,” Superintendent Al Roberts said in a statement. “I also want to applaud everyone involved for the effective way they handled these matters. Their quick, decisive action helped ensure the continued safety of our students, staff and community.” School officials also are conducting their own investigation into the incidents. “The district is expected to hand down the strictest discipline allowed by board policy,” district spokesman Chris Jasculca said. |