Custodian Discovers Gun Outside School While Picking Up Leaves

EVANSTON, IL — A custodian doing yard work at an Evanston private school Wednesday discovered a revolver in a line of bushes, police said.. Around 11 a.m., police were called to Roycemore School and spoke to the custodian, who explained the gun was found while picking up leaves in a riding mower along Ashland Avenue.

Although the gun was loaded, it was rusty and partially filled with dirt. Due to its location and condition, according to Cmdr. Ryan Glew, it is believed to have been discarded rather than left intentionally outside the school.

A forensic specialist collected the revolver, and the gun will be processed for fingerprints and possible DNA to check if there is any evidence of who placed the gun beside the school, police said. While at the crime lab, the gun will be test-fired in order to see if it matches ballistics evidence from any past crimes on file.

The legal owner of the gun, a .38 caliber Arminius Titan Tiger, had not been identified as of Wednesday, according to Glew.

Roycemore is a pre-K through grade 12 school with 215 students, according to its website. It moved into its present campus on Davis Street between Ridge and Asbury avenues in 2011.