MORRISTOWN -- A Morristown Housing Authority commissioner said her grandson was arrested by local police this week while holding a loaded gun, but, instead of being angry, she's thankful he was arrested without incident because "it could have been a tragedy."

Morristown Housing Authority Commissioner Vera White, pictured in this 2009 file photo at a rally for Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty.

Commissioner Vera White told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview Thursday she was thankful to God and to the Morristown police because they caught her 20-year-old grandson, Khyir Johnson, with a loaded gun on Monday but they didn't shoot him.

"I want to give glory and thanks and honor to God, and I want to praise the Morristown police," White said. "I really do praise the men and women of Morristown. If I could whoop (my grandson) I would, but he's grown. They didn't shoot and kill my grandson."

Her grandson, she said, was "clowning around" and was with others who were "playing and shooting guns up in the air" on Labor Day. He did, however, pick up the gun, she said.

White said her grandson told her it wasn't his gun but he refused to tell officers whose gun it was -- so he was charged with its possession.

Johnson was taken into custody at 11:30 p.m. Monday when officers investigated a gun shot in the area of Manahan Village, police said. Johnson worked as a seasonal employee for the Department of Public Works over the summer and was planning to return to school in Virginia the day after the incident, White said.

A handgun was recovered at the scene and Johnson was taken into custody without incident, police said. He was charged with with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced firearm.

Morristown police have said no injuries or victims have been reported in connection with the incident.

"I still love him," White said. "He made a stupid mistake. He's 20 years old and he still has his whole life ahead of him, as long as this taught him a lesson. I don't think he'll ever pick up a gun again."

The police, she said, "could have reacted differently" because he had a loaded gun in his hand.

"God is good and the Morristown police are the best in the world. I praise them for being merciful and their training," she said. "I didn't raise him but he is my grandson and I thank God he's here."

She added: "Do not play with guns, do not pick up guns, do not hang out with people who do."

White said her grandson was released from the Morris County Correctional Facility on bail and is returning to school in Virginia. He'll periodically return to New Jersey for court dates on the gun charges.

Anyone with more information on this incident can contact the Morristown Police at 973-538-2200 to speak to an on-duty detective. Anonymous tips can be provided through Morris County CrimeStoppers at 973-COP-CALL.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook