With Man Toting AR-15 In Town, Abington SD Addresses Safety

ABINGTON, PA — Abington School District issued a statement on Tuesday morning addressing school safety in the wake of the alert from police that a man was walking around town carrying an AR-15 rifle slung over his back.

The school district is in communication with police, and they say the man has not been on school property, according to Superintendent Amy F. Sichel.

"Safety is our priority and we will follow our School Emergency Operations Plan should an individual with a weapon enter school property, for the possession of a weapon on school property is prohibited," she said in the statement.

Sichel urged members of the school community to contact their building principal and police if they saw anything suspicious.

Multiple Abington residents reported seeing the man on Monday in North Hills, Ardsley, Glenside, and the Abington Shopping Center, authorities said.

Police believe the man is attempting to bait officers into a confrontation and debate over the 2nd Amendment.

The weapon is similar to that used in the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida which left 17 dead.

Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy urged residents not to engage the man. He added that police would continue to balance the man's 2nd Amendment rights with the safety of the public.

Patch file photo