Student Brought Gun To School Prompting Lockdown In Union County: Cops

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A Union Catholic High School student was arrested after police say they brought a gun to school prompting a lockdown at all schools in Westfield, Scotch Plains, and Fanwood on Monday.

The Union Catholic High School student was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced firearm, and possession of a firearm in an educational institution, said Scotch Plains Police Chief Jeff Briel.

The name of the student was not released.

On Jan. 22 at around 10:45 a.m. the Scotch Plains Police Department got a call from a member of the administration at Union Catholic High School about a handgun that had been recovered in the school, said Briel.

The building was immediately placed on lockdown and Scotch Plains Officers responded to the school where they found the weapon that had been found by school personnel.

There were no indications of threats or harm to the school, students or personnel during the incident, said Briel.

Due to an abundance of caution, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district as well as surrounding towns such as Westfield were placed in a temporary lockdown which was lifted at around 2:40 p.m.

The juvenile student, who was not identified, was arrested on Monday at around 8 p.m. and charged.

"There is considered to be no continued threat and the school is deemed safe and secure," said Briel.

This incident was resolved with the help of the Union County Prosecutors Office, Union County Police Department, and Union County Sheriff’s Department.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.