Spike in weapons found in schools

WEAPONS SEIZURES skyrocketed in city schools for the threemonth period ending Oct. 1, police said Tuesday. From July 1 through Sept. 30, police recovered 328 weapons at public schools. Last year it was 222 over the same time period. That’s an increase of 48%, Assistant Chief Brian Conroy told reporters at a Tuesday press conference that Mayor de Blasio attended. “This is something that we’ve said has been a trend over the last few years, and we’re working hard to try to turn that around,” Conroy said. Since de Blasio took office, weapons seizures in city schools overall are up by nearly a quarter. The mayor has been taking increasing heat over the issue since a Bronx student was stabbed to death in class on Sept. 27, marking the first time in more than two decades that a city student was killed in school. “It is a tragic truth that for generations a number of young people have brought weapons to school,” de Blasio said. “What I appreciate about this report is that we’re getting more and more of them.” AN EX-CON charged with fatally shooting a Brooklyn mechanic was enraged over a $1,500 refund he wanted for shoddy car repair work, police sources said.

Richard Essor, 33, is accused of shooting Dexton Simpson, 51, at the East Flatbush auto body shop where Simpson worked.

Essor, who is charged with murder and weapon possession, had been steaming for months because he thought Simpson had caused an electrical fire in his BMW, police sources said.

On Friday night, Essor pulled up to Total Auto Care Shop on E. 98th St. near Ditmas Ave. in a Honda, sources said.

The two men argued — and the fight turned deadly, with Essor firing a gun three times, hitting Simpson in the chest and neck, sources said.

Essor then calmly walked to his car and drove off, sources said. Police soon learned he had booked a flight to Jamaica, and arrested him as he tried to board at Kennedy Airport.

Essor was held without bail, and is due back in court Friday.

Family members gathered Monday outside Simpson’s home in St. Albans.