State Police were at St. Bernard’s Regional Catholic School in White Township on Monday after they received word that a student was in possession of a stolen firearm on school grounds. After investigation, it was determined there was no threat to any students, teachers or staff at the school.
When police arrived, they discovered that the student, an 11-year-old boy was in a classroom with his teacher and another student after the school day got underway when the teacher noticed the student was displaying uncharacteristic and unusual behavior. The teacher discovered that the student was holding a Ruger “.38 special” revolver in his hand. The teacher contacted the school principal and the firearm was seized from the student without incident. When troopers investigated the incident, they discovered the gun was fully loaded and that the student’s legal guardian was the gun’s owner. The guardian reported the gun stolen to state police in Butler after it went missing on Saturday.
Police investigation revealed that when the student got to school, he noticed his backpack was heavier than normal. When he opened it up to take a look, he found the gun. Indications showed the boy had no knowledge of the gun in his backpack until he opened it at school, and did not have any knowledge related to the operation of firearms. After consulting the Indiana County District Attorney, it was decided that no criminal charges would be filed against the student.
State Police thanked the staff, teachers and administration of St. Bernard’s school for their professional cooperation. Troopers are continuing to investigate the case and they are now focused on who may have put the gun in the boy’s backpack, when it happened and under what circumstances.
