Student, 14, Attempts Suicide By Cop: Report

A 14-year-old boy reportedly attempted to coerce police officers to shoot him by appearing outside an elementary school in Marlton with a fake gun, philly.com reports.

Evesham Township Police responded to the Van Zant Elementary School around 3:50 p.m. after receiving a report of a teenager with a gun, State Police said on Wednesday.

Two New Jersey State Police detectives were working a non-uniformed patrol on the New Jersey Turnpike. The initial report came from a family member of one of the detectives, who reported to the scene. Evesham Police were already at the school, searching for the suspect.

The detectives were able to track the student to the basketball court, where they arrested him. The detectives recovered a sliver handgun after searching the suspect.

After close inspection, investigators determined the weapon to be a steal replica handgun. Police don’t believe the teen intended to harm anyone.

Police said he was arrested without incident. Philly.com reports that the student said he was trying to coerce police to shoot him in an apparent suicide attempt.

He was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats and trespassing, and incarcerated in a mental health facility.