Manitowoc Police say two 14-year-old boys brought a gun and ammo to Wilson Junior High School because they felt threatened by another group of students.

Police and the Manitowoc Public School District held a news conference Tuesday evening to address the arrest of two students.

It started earlier in the day Tuesday, when a Wilson Junior High School Resource Officer received a tip from students that there was a gun inside the school.

Officers located the two suspects. A handful of .22 caliber ammunition was found in one student's backpack, and a fully loaded, .22 caliber revolver was found in the other student's backpack. The gun held six rounds, police said.

No one was hurt.

"We don't have students typically bringing weapons to school," says Manitowoc Public Schools Superintendent, Mark Holzman. This isn't an occurance that happens in the Manitowoc Public School District, and we'll take that very seriously."

Manitowoc Police Capt. Larry Zimney said Tuesday that the boys are being held in a juvenile facility and each teen faces multiple charges.

Investigators believe the teens got the gun from a relative.

While the investigation into the motive is ongoing, Zimney said it appears the students felt the need for protection, and they felt threatened by another group.

"They made a very bad choice to bring a loaded gun into school," said Zimney.

Captain Zimney credits students at the school who turned in the boys they say with the weapon, for keeping everyone at the school safe.

"That's exactly what we want students to do, is care about one another," Zimney says. "[And] take this seriously. The did, they informed them of what they knew, and what they had apparently seen, and it could have stopped a very tragic situation."

The school district says it plans to follow its school board guidelines for suspension and expulsion.

"The school district has to follow state protocol and procedure, we have regarding weapons in schools," says Holzman. "We'll follow that procedure and policy."

Manitowoc Police will have extra patrols at schools around the city Wednesday.

The school district will have additional counselors available to students and staff.

"I am proud of the students who reported what they heard or saw to school staff. The collaboration with the police department has been tremendous. We will continue to do all we can do ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please take time to have a conversation with your child about school safety and the importance of reporting important information to appropriate officials," reads a statement from Principal Lee Thennes.