2 Lakewood students charged over loaded gun brought to school

Show Caption Hide Caption Lakewood: Students brought loaded gun to Oak Street Elementary School Two students were charged after bringing a loaded .22 caliber handgun onto school property Tuesday morning.

LAKEWOOD - Two elementary school students have been charged with weapons offenses after bringing a loaded handgun to Oak Street Elementary School Tuesday morning, police said.

A 9-year-old fourth grade student initially brought a loaded .22-caliber handgun onto a school bus and transferred it to the backpack of a 10-year-old fifth grade student during the ride, Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith said in an email.

Another student told school security that the 9-year-old had a loaded gun. Security guards at Oak Street school identified the 10-year-old child who received the gun "and did in fact locate a loaded .22-caliber handgun in his backpack," Staffordsmith wrote.

Staffordsmith said the investigation has so far "not revealed any threats against the school." No one was injured in the incident.

Both boys participated in the incident and were charged with various weapons violations including the possession of a firearm on school grounds.The investigation is still ongoing and more charges may follow, Staffordsmith said.

School district officials were not immediately available for comment Tuesday, but Superintendent Laura Winters' office confirmed the incident in a prepared statement shortly before noon.

"Due to the quick response by the Lakewood School District Security and Lakewood Police, the school was not placed in lockdown, as the student was apprehended upon entering school," according to the statement. "All students and staff are safe and the school is operating on a normal schedule."

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Alex N. Gecan: @GeeksterTweets; 732-643-4043; agecan@gannettnj.com