Teen at South Side High School in Rockville Centre had handgun, police say

Nassau County police on Friday arrested a 14-year-old boy who they said was carrying a gun in his backpack at a Rockville Centre school.

Administrators at South Side High School received an anonymous tip about a weapon, prompting police to respond to the school around 2:40 p.m., officials said.

Police recovered an unregistered, unloaded firearm from the boy’s backpack, according to a news release. Authorities said he was not carrying a magazine or any ammunition.

A spokesperson for the department confirmed Saturday that the weapon was a black handgun.

It was unclear whether the school was under a lockdown or any specific threats were received.

In a statement Friday, Rockville Centre school superintendent Matthew Gaven said school staff followed the steps of a safety plan in collaboration with the police department.

“As a result, the situation today was resolved safely and professionally to ensure the well-being of our students and faculty,” Gaven wrote in an email.

The 14-year-old is facing multiple charges, including criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm on school grounds and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in family court on Feb. 8.

With Nicholas Spangler