Schools

Franklin Student Brought Loaded Gun To School: Police

A Franklin High School student was arrested after a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun was found inside his backpack while in class Friday.

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Franklin High School student, who brought a loaded gun to school on Friday, was arrested and charged, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.

Authorities received a tip around 11:30 a.m. that the 17-year-old male teen had a loaded firearm while attending classes in the high school, Robertson said.

The initial information received by police found that there were no known threats to the students or faculty, according to Robertson.

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The student was found and removed from a classroom and escorted to a high school security office with his belongings by authorities including Somerset County Prosecutor's Office detectives, Franklin Township detectives and the school resource officer.

A search of his back pack found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun, Robertson said.

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The teen was then transported to the Franklin Township Police Department for processing. He was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The teen was lodged at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a detention hearing.

The initial information received by police found that there were no known threats to the students or faculty.

Robertson commended the quick response and dissemination of information between Somerset County law enforcement agencies and the Franklin High School administrators resulting in the quick recovery of the firearm without incident.

On Monday, New Jersey schools and colleges also reported four different weapon-related incidents. (See Related: More Security Scares At NJ Schools With Lockdowns, Arrests).

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