Student, 11, Had Toy Gun On School Bus: Howell Police

HOWELL, NJ — (Updated, 10 p.m.) An 11-year-old girl brought a toy gun onto a Howell school bus and showed it to another student Friday, prompting an investigation, police said.

Howell police first revealed the incident late Friday afternoon in a post on Facebook, where they said they were investigating two incidents that were reported belatedly.

The other was an alleged attempted luring that happened Thursday and was not reported until Friday afternoon. Police urged residents to report any incidents right away in a message posted to Facebook.

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"We remind everyone to report incidents IMMEDIATELY!!" the post said. "Failure to do so makes our job more difficult and greatly lessens the chances of a successful resolution."

Police said they had received a report that an Aldrich School student had showed a black handgun to another student on a school bus that serves the Windmill Club development.

In an update at 7:30 p.m., police said the girl was identified and "in the presence of her cooperative parent, the child admitted showing a toy gun to another student."

The toy was turned over and will subsequently be destroyed, police said.

"There will be no charges filed as it was apparent the child was remorseful and understood the severity of the incident," police said.

The attempted luring happened on the west side of Freewood Acres, the post said. A 14-year-old boy from Howell Middle School North was approached by a white male driving a silver Nissan Altima in the area of West 6th and Smith streets, the post said. The driver appeared to be in his late 40s or early 50s with dark hair with a “fade” in the back, police said. The man started asking the teen about his parents and where he lived, and the boy refused to acknowledge the man, went home and notified his mother, police said. The mother saw the man but apparently the suspect left the area immediately afterward., police said.

"Howell officers are currently investigating this incident as well," police said. "Updates will be provided after both investigations are complete."

Those who wish to give police information can call 732-938-4111, or send a message through the department's Facebook page, or through the anonymous tip service at www.p3tips.com.

Photo via Howell Township police