Police: Gun brought to Philadelphia school by boy, 8, goes off, prompting lockdown
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia school was briefly placed on lockdown Thursday morning after police say a child brought a gun to school and it accidentally went off outside.
The incident occurred Thursday morning, around 9 a.m., at the West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School.
Police say an 8-year-old boy was found with a weapon inside the school and that the weapon was accidentally discharged in the schoolyard.
The school was placed on lockdown just before 9 a.m. and the lockdown was lifted about 15 minutes later.
Police say the weapon was recovered and no one was injured. The student was taken into custody.
School officials released a statement later in the morning confirming that a student brought a gun to school and that it was discharged in the schoolyard, adding that they are cooperating with investigators. School remained in session for the remainder of the day Thursday and school officials say they plan to address the incident with parents in the near future.
Counseling was also being made available for students and staff.
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