A 15-year old boy was caught with a handgun at Berkeley High School this morning, according to authorities.
The student, who was not named, apparently brought a small caliber gun to school, Berkeley High Principal Pasquale Scuderi told parents in an e-mail message. “Multiple sources” told school officials about the gun, and the student was detained by 11 am, an hour after school began, Scuderi said. The Berkeley police department then took over the investigation.
“The nature of this incident is disheartening and reminds us of the increasing need to dissuade and prevent kids, and people in general, from using firearms as solutions to their problems or grievances,” wrote Scuderi.
“While this incident itself is most troubling and validates our need to sustain intense protocols, efforts, and policies around student safety, I am pleased to report that no one was hurt and that the firearm itself was safely and quietly turned over to law enforcement officials.”
School officials will seek to expel the student as required by law, said Scuderi.
Scuderi also tried to reassure parents that the incident was as isolated one.
“It is very clear to me that receiving word of incidents like this must cause you immense anxiety as parents and caregivers,” he wrote. “Hopefully the knowledge that this is an atypical and isolated incident, coupled with the fact that BHS staff works very hard every day to prevent incidents like these and manage them safely on the rare occasions that they arise, will give you some degree of relief.”
