Student, 13, Arrested After Weapon Found At LI Middle School: Police

RIVERHEAD, NY — For the second time this week, a student was found with a weapon at the Riverhead Middle School, officials said.

According to Riverhead Town police, on Monday at 10:40 a.m., a call came in from middle school officials saying that they had confiscated a knife from a student. Police officers responded to the Riverhead Middle School and recovered the knife, authorities said.

Riverhead Police arrested a 13-year-old, from Flanders, who was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by persons under 16, authorities said. The juvenile was processed at Riverhead police headquarters and released to a parent for a future court appearance, police said.

A message was sent out by Middle School Principal Dr. Joseph Pesqueira to families. "This morning, June 12, 2023, a member of the faculty was made aware of a student in possession of a weapon and immediately notified building administration," he wrote. "The administrative team, with the assistance of district security, immediately secured the student and searched their locker and belongings."

The search led to the recovery of the knife, he said. Riverhead police were notified immediately, Pesqueira said.

"At no point were any Riverhead Middle School students, faculty, or staff in danger," he wrote. "The district is handling this matter in strict compliance with the district's code ofcharacter, conduct and support."

On Friday, two Riverhead students were arrested after "illegal items" were found at the middle school, police said.

According to Riverhead police, at about 9:29 a.m. Friday, a call came in from Riverhead Central School District officials, saying that they had located the items at the middle school.

Riverhead police responded and officials turned over two knives and a BB gun, authorities said.

Police arrested one 13-year-old from Riverhead and one 14-year-old student from Flanders; they were charged with unlawful possession of weapons by individuals under 16, police said. Bothjuveniles were processed at Riverhead Police headquarters and released to a parent for future court appearances, police said.

It's not the first arrest of a Riverhead student in recent months: In March, Riverhead High School was put on a "hold-in-place" response after two students found bullets in the hallway, officials said.

According to Riverhead Town police, a 22 caliber bullet was recovered from a 14-year-old student by a security guard at the school, police said.

The security guard then notified the security director and a Riverhead Town police officer who was already present in the school, officials said.

During an interview with the teen in the presence of his parent, the officer learned that he had received the bullet from another student, also 14, police said.

That second student's guardian was then contacted and responded to the school, police said. While interviewing the second boy in the presence of his guardian, he said that he'd found the ammunition on a shelf at his brother's place of business, police said.

About 12 more 22-caliber bullets were recovered from the second 14-year-old, police said. After further investigation, it was determined that a 22-caliber rifle was legally owned by a family member of the second teen— and it was confirmed that the rifle was properly secured at a location not at the juvenile's home, police said.

The second 14-year-old student was arrested, processed, and released with an appearance ticket for Suffolk County family court, police said.

There was no evidence that a rifle or any weapon was present on school grounds, police said.