Boy, 14, held without bail after allegedly bringing gun to high school

WOONSOCKET –A Family Court judge Friday ordered a 14-year-old boy held without bail at the Rhode Island Training School after he allegedly brought a handgun and ammunition to Woonsocket High School the day before.

The boy, who wasn’t identified because he is a juvenile, was arrested Thursday after School Resource Officer Timothy M. Hammond seized the weapon, which was apparently concealed in the WHS freshman’s football pants, according to Hammond’s report. The weapon was unloaded, but Hammond found a full magazine of ammunition in a sneaker that was inside the youth’s backpack.

The boy was arraigned yesterday on charges of possession of a firearm on school grounds; possession of a firearm by a minor; carrying a pistol without a permit; and possession of ammunition by a minor – all felonies.

Deputy Police Chief Raymond Lemoine said how the boy came into possession of the weapon and why he brought it to school were questions that are still under investigation. But Lemoine said police have uncovered no evidence that he planned to shoot anyone.

“As the investigation continues we’ll learn more but it doesn’t appear that other than him making this very poor choice of even bringing that weapon there, we don’t believe anybody was a target in any way,” said Lemoine.

An administrator told Hammond that there might be a boy in possession of a gun after learning of it from another student, according to Hammond’s report.

A few minutes after 11 Thursday morning, Hammond immediately located the boy in class, frisked him and felt a bulge in his football pants. Hammond said the outline of a weapon was also plainly visible through the tight-fitting sports garb.

The weapon was a Glock 19, one of the most widely sold handguns in the nation.

The Woonsocket Education Department has a “zero tolerance policy” prohibiting weapons – including knives

and firearms – on school grounds except for law enforcement purposes. A student who violates the policy is considered automatically suspended pending a disciplinary hearing and may be at risk of transfer to an alternative education setting for up to

one year, according to the WED’s policy manual.

School Supt. Patrick McGee said he couldn’t speculate on the specifics of the disciplinary action the boy might face.

“What I can say is that we will follow the procedures that are contained in our policies for student discipline,” said McGee.

The superintendent said WHS

Principal Carnell Henderson notified parents of the incident by e-mail shortly after it happened.

McGee said it was particularly proud of students for speaking up and telling staffers when they saw something amiss.

“I’m proud of our courageous students for showing the trust in our teachers, administrators and our school resource officer,” said Mc-

Gee.

Lemoine agreed, saying, “Somebody had observed (the gun) in his waistband and, like we always say – we tell this not only to school kids, but teachers and administrators – if you see something, say something,” said Lemoine. “Sometimes kids like to show these things off. You have to question why somebody would do that, given the heightened aware-

ness for this kind of situation. Even if you’re there just to show it off... red flags go up, and rightfully so.”

The youth will be held at the Training School until at least next Friday, when another hearing is scheduled in Family Court, Lemoine said.