Nanuet High-Schooler Accused Of Bringing Loaded Gun To School

NANUET, NY — A Nanuet Senior High School student accused of bringing a loaded gun to school Monday faces felony charges and is barred from campus, Clarkstown police said.

School staff received an anonymous tip that the student might have a weapon at the school on Monday. They alerted the school resource officer and the student's belongings were searched, police said. They found a loaded handgun.

The officer secured the gun, alerted the Clarkstown Detective Bureau to respond to the scene and placed the student under arrest, police said.

He faces four felony charges: second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Carrying a weapon onto school property is a violation of the law in New York State," said Nanuet Superintendent Kevin R. McCahill in a letter to parents on the district website. "The Nanuet School District has a zero-tolerance policy against unlawful behavior in our schools. The police investigation prevents me from going into further detail at this time. However, I can assure you that the student in question will not be present in school pending disciplinary action, which may include criminal charges.

"I want to thank Clarkstown Police for its swift response to this serious incident. It is important for the community to know that this report was made by an individual who followed our Emergency Response protocols which encourages immediate reports of any potential threats to the safety of our members of our school community."

Clarkstown police said there have been no reports of any threats made to students or staff by the student who was arrested.

"The safety of the students and staff is our top priority and we will continue to work diligently to provide the safest environment possible," a department spokesman said. "The best tool we have to keep our schools safe is prevention. We encourage our students, families, and community to always report safety incidents or concerns to our department. The Clarkstown Police Department has zero tolerance for anyone who threatens the safety or security of another person, within our community."