NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A 16-year-old student was found with a loaded gun in his backpack at a Harlem high school on Friday morning, adding to rising concern regarding guns in and around New York City schools after a string of incidents this week.
The teen had a loaded .38 caliber gun in his backpack at Mott Hall High School, located at 6 Edgecombe Ave., and was discovered with the weapon at around 10:30 a.m., according to police.
He was taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon in a school. Police said the student was in court on Friday.
Sources told 1010 WINS that the NYPD will be involved to ensure that additional security is deployed to the campus, and that every student at the school has access to on-site mental health resources.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and all students and staff are safe. NYPD safely recovered this item after a brave student voiced a concern. All safety procedures were followed, and we are working closely with the NYPD regarding follow-up actions,” NYC Schools Deputy Press Secretary Jenna Lyle said in a statement.