UPPER DARBY, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Frightening moments played out at Upper Darby High School when the building went into a lock-in on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
It happened when administration and security were alerted to a student who seemed to be under the influence.<\/p>\n
Authorities say it was a teacher who first noticed the student acting strangely.<\/p>\n
“An alert teacher noticed that a student was not acting normal, was impaired,” said Superintendent of Upper Darby Police Tim Bernhardt.<\/p>\n
The student was taken out of class and down to an administrator’s office. Investigators say while searching that student, school administrators found the student to be in possession of a loaded handgun.<\/p>\n
Officials said the student also had marijuana.<\/p>\n
That’s when school leaders immediately called the police.<\/p>\n
“Our officers responded to the school. They took the student and the handgun out of the school,” said Bernhardt. “It was terrifying for everyone.”<\/p>\n
The student is now set to face charges, according to police.<\/p>\n
School leaders said all safety procedures were followed and no injuries were reported.<\/p>\n
“Today, our staff and students did an outstanding job implementing our emergency response procedures,” Superintendent Daniel McGarry said in a statement. “I understand how alarming this communication is for all involved, but I am grateful that our safety procedures were followed and that no one was injured.”<\/p>\n
McGarry went on to say the school will have pupil service professionals available for students who need to speak with someone.<\/p>\n
Action News spoke with people in the area, who said they were shocked by this incident.<\/p>\n
“These young kids have no respect for anybody,” said Mark Fields from West Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
“They feel like they can just do anything and get away with it now,” added Mitchell Parker from Wilkes-Barre.<\/p>\n
The 6abc Data Journalism team found during the 2021-2022 school year, nearly 5,000 public school students in the U.S. brought a gun to school, including 40 students in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
While that was the second-highest number on record for the state, Pennsylvania’s rate was actually the fourth lowest in the country.<\/p>\n
Bernhardt says police met with school district officials on Tuesday to discuss issues like this incident. He says this situation can be a teaching moment for parents and guardians.<\/p>\n
“This is a perfect opportunity to remind students, kids, to not play with guns and that there is no business with anyone having a gun on them on any school property,” Bernhardt said.<\/p>\n
Authorities say they are now investigating where the student got the handgun. Depending on that answer, more charges could be filed.<\/p>\n
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