LONDON, Ohio — A teen has been charged after authorities say they found a loaded handgun inside his locker at London High School last week.
London Division of Police Chief Glenn Nicol says someone notified school administrators about the gun on Friday.
Police searched the 16-year-old’s locker and found the loaded weapon. He told police he wasn’t having issues at school, but was worried about his walk home.
“He felt threatened and might be jumped, so he wanted some protection,” Nicol explained.
This isn't the first time this school year a student has brought a weapon to London City Schools.
In November, a second grader brought a pellet gun to school to trade it for a toy gun, the chief explained.
He says in the latest case, the boy got the gun from home, and his parents were not aware.
The district instituted a school resource office this month. The district credits the quick action to having that officer available.
The superintendent would not go on-camera, but in a letter to parents wrote: "The fact that this situation was anonymously reported, a threat assessment was quickly conducted, and the district's new resource officer was involved are all examples of the district's ongoing commitment to school safety."
The teen was charged with a fifth-degree felony for bringing a weapon into a school safety zone. Nicol says they are still investigating and other students could face charges.