STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A 16-year-old boy lifted up his shirt inside Tottenville High School to allegedly display a fake gun in a terrifying incident that prompted a major NYPD response on Wednesday morning, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.
A juvenile report of menacing and unlawful possession of a weapon was issued for the boy, who was taken into custody inside the school at 100 Luten Ave. around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the source said.
Police recovered an imitation pistol that the boy allegedly had stashed in his waistband, according to the source.
The frightening episode began around 10:15 a.m. when the teen allegedly raised his shirt to display what appeared to be the handle of a black firearm, causing fear at the school.
The incident prompted an NYPD canvass of the school and surrounding area, according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD.
No injuries were reported.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority,” said a statement from the city Department of Education. “Out of an abundance of caution this school went into a temporary lockdown following a report from a member of the community. NYPD immediately responded and lifted the lockdown, ensuring all students and staff are safe.”
Several parents rushed to the facility after hearing word of the police response.
“My daughter texted me that she loved me as a sort of last text message because she was scared, so I came straight here,” said the mother of a ninth grade student. “I get so nervous that sometimes I think about pulling them out of school and homeschooling them at this point.”
Said the parent of a senior:
“My kid is calm in the gym during his senior carnival, but if this was my oldest child, she would’ve been panicking.”
“I was a little nervous but pretty confident because before when something more serious happened, they locked down the school pretty quickly,” a student told the Advance/SILive.com. “They also had a description of the kid quickly.”
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