Student With Gun Apprehended at Maplewood Middle School

Township police ordered a lockdown at Maplewood Middle School on Wednesday after they received reports of a student bringing a gun to campus.

According to a statement from school officials, Maplewood police were called after administrators became aware of a “potential weapon threat involving a student.”

Police arrived on the scene and ordered a “Code Red” lockdown, then searched the campus with help from the South Orange Police Department and Essex County Sheriff’s Department.

Following the search, a juvenile male student was taken into custody for possession of a handgun, and the lockdown was lifted shortly afterwards.

Authorities have not stated if the boy was charged with a crime.

Nobody was harmed during the incident, stated school officials.

An investigation is ongoing, authorities said.

“We appreciate the cooperation of the police department, the staff, the students and the building administrators,” school administrators stated in a letter. “Parents and guardians of our students can be assured that the school administration works closely with and cooperates fully with law enforcement during such an event. The safety of our staff and students remains our first priority.”