A Lowell teenager brought a gun to school and threatened to “shoot up the block” on Tuesday, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.
At about 12:45 p.m., Lowell Police responded to Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School after being told that multiple students from the school might be in possession of guns. Security guards at the school said a student told them other students had guns and were making threats, according to the district attorney’s office.
A 16-year-old boy was attempting to leave the school with a backpack. When police tried to detain the student, he hit the officer and attempted to leave, according to officials.
A loaded revolver was found inside the student’s bag and he was placed under arrest, the district attorney’s office said.
The school was then placed on lockdown, classes were stopped and three police K9s conducted a sweep of the school. No other weapons were found, officials said.
“I applaud the student who came forward to report this incident to a trusted adult. It is imperative that, as we continue to train parents, educators and law enforcement around the issue of gun violence in schools, that we remember that students are one of our best assets,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. “We know that students are often more likely to hear these kinds of threats, see something on social media or have knowledge that a peer has access to a weapon. Guns and threats of violence have no place in our schools and we will hold responsible those who jeopardize the safety of our schools.”
The 16-year-old student was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds, assault and battery of a police officer and possession of ammunition without a license.
He was arraigned Wednesday in Lowell Juvenile Court.
