NORFOLK, Va. — A 12-year-old boy was charged for allegedly bringing a gun to a middle school in Norfolk on Thursday.
The boy, a student at Blair Middle School, was charged with possession of a firearm by a juvenile and possession of a firearm on school property, according to the Norfolk Police Department.
According to Virginia code, possession of a firearm by a juvenile is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Possession of a firearm on school property is a class 6 Felony charge, which legal experts tell 13News Now is regardless of the age of the alleged offender. They add 12-year-olds can be prosecuted in the juvenile justice system.
BLAIR FAMILIES RECEIVE NOTIFICATION
Police said that school staff detained the student Thursday after a report of him having a firearm. During a search, a handgun was allegedly found in his waistband.
"It's pretty shocking and saddening," said parent Becky Schnekser, who has one child who attends Blair Middle School. She recalled receiving an alert from school officials about the incident Thursday afternoon.
"I think I spent a lot of time [Friday] really thinking through the reality of what that means and what could have happened. At the same time, I'm very grateful the school handled it swiftly. They handled it appropriately and they communicated," Schnekser added. "I definitely take solace in the fact that a community member knew about it, they reported it."
No one was hurt, police and the school district confirmed.
"I understand our district is looking into doing some things next year, to train staff and teachers of Norfolk Public Schools, but we're in the here and now, something should be done now," said Norfolk Federation of Teachers president Laquetta Mackey told 13News Now Friday, who also advocated for improved security measures such as expanding metal detectors through budgeting next school year.
“It's imperative we get better security in these schools, tighten security," Mackey added.
Virginia code also establishes what could happen next in cases like this:
"...a school board shall expel from school attendance for a period of not less than one year any student whom such school board has determined, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article, to have possessed a firearm on school property or at a school-sponsored activity..."
The boy is being held at the Norfolk Detention Center.
STATEMENT FROM NORFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
When asked about the incident, a Norfolk Public Schools spokeswoman said that the school district "does not comment on student disciplinary matters" but would share the message that was sent to school families Thursday. It reads as follows.
"This afternoon, school administration received a report that a student potentially had a gun in school. School administration immediately enacted safety and security protocols, including contacting NPD and isolating the student, who was found to be in possession of a gun. The NPD and school administration are continuing the investigation and disciplinary consequences will be assigned in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
"NPS takes seriously the safety and security of all students and staff within our schools. We encourage our students, staff, and families to continue to alert us. If you see something, say something. Thank you for your continued partnership."
A LOOK BACK AT PAST INCIDENTS
The incident at Blair Middle School was not the first time a tip led to a weapon confiscation on a Norfolk Public Schools campus in 2023.
On February 17, Norfolk police charged Letty Lopez, the mother of a Little Creek elementary schooler, for allowing her child to have access to firearms. Her 6-year-old is accused of bringing her loaded gun to school on February 16.
New court documents reveal conflicting messages about how the student got hold of the gun.
Documents show Lopez told Norfolk Police detectives "she always places that handgun in a safe in her residence but the safe was relatively new and she may have left it unlocked."
Lopez added her child may have removed the gun while she was in the shower.
Previously, the child told a teacher, "Lopez left the gun under a pillow, and she left the house prior to him leaving for school," an affidavit stated.
Then on March 14, Norfolk police said they found a 15-year-old Granby High student carrying a stolen gun during the school day. He was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, carrying concealed and possession of a stolen firearm.
Friday afternoon, 13News Now emailed Norfolk school board members and called the chair, requesting an interview to talk about this incident and safety improvements, but did not heard back from any of them by the time this story went to air.
However, on Saturday we received this statement from Chair of the Norfolk School Board Dr. Adale Martin:
“As you know, these types of incidents are occurring in school districts nationwide. When these incidents occur, the school’s administration immediately enacts safety protocols. The students are quickly isolated, the NPD is contacted & investigation is ensued. We continue to stress the importance of partnering with the NPS & Norfolk community at large to report any potential or actual threats to our schools. The weapons detection system is in the SY 2023-24 Budget, which was proposed to City Council. We anticipate receiving their final feedback on the budget in June.”