Gun Found Next To Daniel Webster Elementary Playground

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — School administrators told parents that fourth graders at Daniel Webster Elementary were brought inside from recess after a firearm was discovered on a neighboring property that abuts the school's playground.

In a letter to parents dated Nov. 1, Principal Melissa A. Passarelli told parents that the gun was spotted on property next to the Calhoun Playground. She said that the students never had access to the weapon, which was found on the opposite side of a fence.

"The fourth grade students who were on the playground for recess when the report was made were immediately lined up and brought inside, while the NRPD was contacted to investigate," Passarelli wrote. "The NRPD removed the firearm, and at no point were any of our students or staff in danger."

New Rochelle police said they were alerted by Daniel Webster Elementary School staff, shortly before 1 p.m., that there appeared to be a firearm that could be seen through a schoolyard fence, partially buried in a dirt area near a tree. Investigators located an unloaded silver 9mm semiautomatic handgun, with a fully loaded magazine next to it, partially buried in dirt and leaves.

Police confirmed that the area where it was found was not readily accessible by students or passersby, as it was about 6 feet above the sidewalk behind a retaining wall. Although it could be seen from the schoolyard, it was not accessible to students due to the high fence.

New Rochelle detectives are asking anyone with any information about this incident to call New Rochelle Police Headquarters at 914-654-2300.

The full letter from Principal Melissa A. Passarelli can be read below:

Dear Webster Community,

Today, at approximately 12:45 p.m., it was reported to me that there was a firearm on a piece of property that abuts Webster's Calhoun Playground. The fourth grade students who were on the playground for recess when the report was made were immediately lined up and brought inside, while the NRPD was contacted to investigate. The location of the firearm was not accessible to students, as it was located on the other side of the our playground fence. The NRPD removed the firearm, and at no point were any of our students or staff in danger.

At present, this is being investigated by the NRPD. Please know that our clinical staff, Mr. Middleton and I are available to support fourth grade students, as needed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at mpassarelli@nredlearn.org.

Very truly yours,

Melissa A. Passarelli

This story was updated to include information released by the New Rochelle Police Department.