Police officials in Newark are investigating a weapons possession incident that occurred at an elementary school in the city today.
According to Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara, just after 10 a.m. today, police responded to North Star Academy, located at 571 18th Avenue, on a call of a minor in possession of a loaded handgun.
Director Brian O’Hara told RLS Media Newark Police safeguarded the handgun and school administrators notified the child’s guardian.
Parents told RLS Media that the child told friends that he was prepared to kill teachers in the building shortly before being caught with the loaded gun.
North Star officials Released the following statement to parents:
“We are writing to inform you that this morning a West Side Park Elementary student brought a weapon into the building. Teachers and Leadership were immediately made aware of the situation and the gun was confiscated.
All students were safe and accounted for during this time and instruction was able to continue without interruption.
As you know, the safety of our children is our greatest concern, and today was an example of our commitment to safeguarding our community.
We wanted to ensure that we communicated to all families the details of today's events. We know that some students may have questions about this morning's events.
If this is the case, we have resources and people available to help students process”.
The incident is under investigation.