Teen at South Side High School in Rockville Centre had handgun, police say
South Side High School in Rockville Centre on Friday evening. Credit: Jim Staubitser
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
'We have to figure out what happened to these people' More than 100 women have been found dead outside on Long Island since 1976. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn and Newsday investigative reporter Sandra Peddie have this exclusive story.
'We have to figure out what happened to these people' More than 100 women have been found dead outside on Long Island since 1976. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn and Newsday investigative reporter Sandra Peddie have this exclusive story.
