Metal detectors reinstalled in school after guns found

Metal detectors were reinstalled in a Boston high school Friday, one day after two guns were found at the school. Students said metal detectors were removed from Charlestown High School during the pandemic, a decision Boston Mayor Michelle Wu explained was intended to prevent crowding in the building’s entryway. “My understanding is that this is about the concerns about crowding and wanting to give additional space for the whole entryway to be used rather than students squeezing closer together,” Wu told reporters. Wu said other safety measures in the school did work. “The preventative measures in some cases worked here because the situation was very quickly identified. There was an immediate response from Boston police and everything was secured very quickly,” she said. One of the guns was recovered from a 13-year-old student on Thursday morning and the second was later found inside the building. No shots were fired, and no one was injured, police said.The 13-year-old was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, a 9mm Glock, not at work or home and illegal possession of ammunition and held on $2,500 bail. The 17-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm, and delinquency to wit. He was expected to be in court Friday. Their names were not released, because they are minors. In a statement, Boston Public Schools said Thursday’s incidents represent “a serious security breach that will not be tolerated … Our schools must be safe learning environments where students and staff feel secure.”BPS said it was working with Boston police and BPS Safety Services. “Over the next few days, additional adult and safety personnel will be present at the school,” the statement continued. More than 730 students are enrolled in the school that serves grades 9 to 12. The high school also includes a middle school on the fifth floor for grades 7 and 8.

BOSTON —

Metal detectors were reinstalled in a Boston high school Friday, one day after two guns were found at the school.

Students said metal detectors were removed from Charlestown High School during the pandemic, a decision Boston Mayor Michelle Wu explained was intended to prevent crowding in the building’s entryway.

“My understanding is that this is about the concerns about crowding and wanting to give additional space for the whole entryway to be used rather than students squeezing closer together,” Wu told reporters.

Wu said other safety measures in the school did work.

“The preventative measures in some cases worked here because the situation was very quickly identified. There was an immediate response from Boston police and everything was secured very quickly,” she said.

One of the guns was recovered from a 13-year-old student on Thursday morning and the second was later found inside the building. No shots were fired, and no one was injured, police said.

The 13-year-old was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, a 9mm Glock, not at work or home and illegal possession of ammunition and held on $2,500 bail.

The 17-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm, and delinquency to wit. He was expected to be in court Friday.

Their names were not released, because they are minors.

In a statement, Boston Public Schools said Thursday’s incidents represent “a serious security breach that will not be tolerated … Our schools must be safe learning environments where students and staff feel secure.”

BPS said it was working with Boston police and BPS Safety Services.

“Over the next few days, additional adult and safety personnel will be present at the school,” the statement continued.

More than 730 students are enrolled in the school that serves grades 9 to 12. The high school also includes a middle school on the fifth floor for grades 7 and 8.