Three students were taken into police custody Friday for allegedly bringing three guns to school.
“I’m very concerned,” said Schools Chancellor David Banks. “I’m always concerned when we have issues of safety and weapons being brought into our schools.”
Police sources say the mother of a 15-year-old student called Independence High School in Manhattan Friday afternoon, saying her son may have brought his father’s gun to class.
What You Need To Know
- Authorities were called to Independence High School Friday afternoon after school safety officers were alerted about a gun on campus
- Police sources say the mother of one of the suspects was the one who notified the school
- Three students were arrested for bringing three separate firearms to school, one of which was an airsoft pistol
- Independence and neighboring High School for Environmental Studies were placed on lockdown while police conducted a search
“A decision is made on the scene to evacuate the school and do a reverse scanning to find this firearm,” said John Chell, NYPD Chief of Patrol.
Police said they found the gun they were looking for, as well as a second firearm, on a different student and an imitation pistol on a third student.
Officers were seen escorting a student out of the building.
Independence is a transfer school located on 10th Avenue between 56th and 55th Streets. It’s next to the High School for Environmental Studies, which was also placed on lockdown.
“Nobody [was] hurt today,” said Chell. “Two firearms removed from school and an imitation gun. That speaks to our school plan that came about last year. It’s all about communication and speed and that’s what you saw here today.”
Last month, Banks and Mayor Eric Adams unveiled a new safety plan following a string of shootings near schools last year.
“We now have on a weekly basis the commanding officers of every precinct in New York City in communication with the principals of the schools in that command district, and that level of communication has been helpful to our schools and keeping our kids safe all across New York City,” said Banks.
The schools chancellor said it’s up to parents to educate their children about safety protocols and to alert school safety officers if they spot any dangerous activity.
“We’ve gotta let all our kids know if they see something, say something to keep themselves safe as well,” said Banks.
No shots were fired and no one was hurt. Police say the school is being searched again to see if there are any other weapons in the building.