Teen Brought Handgun To NJ High School Football Game: Police

JACKSON, NJ — A teenage boy was arrested Friday night at the Jackson Liberty High School football game after police found a .22-caliber handgun and ammunition in his backpack, police said.

Jackson Capt. Steve Laskiewicz said township police officers who were assigned to the football game were told that a teenage boy at the game had a firearm.

Jackson Liberty hosted Shore Regional High School on Friday night.

The officers and school security found the boy, and a search of his backpack turned up the gun and ammunition, Laskiewicz said. The boy was taken to police headquarters and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a weapon on school grounds. He was taken to the Ocean County Juvenile Intake, he said.

Other officers stayed at the football game until the game was over and spectators cleared the event, Laskiewicz said.

Laskiewicz said the investigation did not reveal any specific threats against anyone, and as the investigation continued on Saturday, there have been no threats or additional safety concerns identified in connection with the incident, he said.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com