YPD: Student had gun at Southern Boulevard school

February 4, 2017 at 12:09a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

An 8-year-old boy took a loaded gun to a Southern Boulevard school Friday to show to his friends after they talked about guns and bullets the day before, police said.

Police were called to Horizon Science Academy, 3403 Southern Blvd., about 10:50 a.m. after school officials searched the boy’s backpack and found a .25-caliber revolver inside. That search came after the boy showed a sandwich bag full of bullets to other students, who informed a teacher.

When the gun was found, the boy told school officials he brought the gun from home, reports said.

A Concept Schools spokesperson says there was no threat to students.

“Through the collaboration with the Youngstown Police Department, the situation was rectified early on,” said Chris Murphy, Concept Schools’ director of communications.

Concept Schools is a charter schools management company with 30 schools throughout the nation and 17 in Ohio, including Horizon Science Academy.

The incident happened during breakfast time.

Reports said the boy told police that he did not believe the person he took the gun from had any idea it was taken.

The gun was loaded with two rounds, reports said. One of the rounds was able to be removed, but the other round appeared to be broken off and lodged inside the gun. The bullets the boy had were corroded and oxidized, and part of the gun’s grip also was gone. There also was no serial number on the gun, and it could not be traced.

The boy told school officials he had taken the gun and bullets to school after talking with a group of friends the day before about guns and bullets and he did not want to harm anyone, reports said.

Two investigators from the police department’s Family Services Investigative Unit interviewed the boy. The investigation is continuing.

School policy states students are not allowed to bring a weapon to school, and this situation will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s handbook, Murphy said. Consequences for bringing a weapon to school go up to expulsion.