UPDATED: 10:26 a.m., Wednesday:
An 11-year-old boy is in custody after discharging a handgun near a home in the Levittown section of Bristol Township on Tuesday, according to police.
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The situation led to Benjamin Franklin Middle School having a virtual day on Wednesday and officers being stationed at other Bristol Township School District facilities.
Officers arrived at the scene on Goldenridge Drive shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday following reports of a bullet hole penetrating an exterior wall and entering a bedroom.
No injuries were sustained in the incident, police said.
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The gun was taken into police custody. It was not released where the gun came from or how the student gained possession of it.
Through investigation, officers identified the suspect as a student at Franklin Middle School, located less than half a mile from the shooting site, police said.
Credit: Submitted
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Following interviews and searches throughout the evening, authorities recovered a .380-caliber handgun by 9 p.m., police said.
A key aspect of the ongoing investigation is determining whether the student had the weapon in his possession during school hours. Police said they were still looking into that.
The Bucks County Youth Center was holding the boy in custody as of Wednesday.
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Both the Bristol Township Police Department and School District released statements emphasizing their efforts throughout the investigation and the focus on community safety.
The school district confirmed in a separate statement that the student involved attends Franklin Middle School and has been blocked from returning to the premises.
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Disciplinary action, potentially leading to long-term suspension or expulsion, was underway, the district said.
Citing an abundance of caution, the school district told parents of the remote learning day for Franklin Middle School on Wednesday. All other schools within the district will operate on a regular schedule with an increased police presence.
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The school district further emphasized in a Wednesday morning update to LevittownNow.com that there are no active threats against any schools within the Bristol Township School District. Officials stressed that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and not a targeted incident.
Franklin Middle School’s eighth-grade band performance will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday evening.
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“Our administration will continue investigating this incident today in consultation and conjunction with the police. We will continue to provide updates as we ascertain more information,” the district said in a Wednesday note to parents.
Original Story:
A Benjamin Franklin Middle School student fired a handgun in the Goldenridge neighborhood of Levittown during after-school hours on Tuesday, according to the Bristol Township School District.
In response to the incident, Franklin Middle School will switch to a remote learning schedule for Wednesday. All other schools in the district will operate on their regular in-person schedules, the district said.
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Additionally, there will be an increased police presence at all district schools to ensure safety, officials said.
The shooting, which occurred off school district property, did not result in any injuries and was not a targeted incident, the district said in a Tuesday night email to parents.
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The student responsible for firing the gun has been identified and removed from school immediately, the district said.
The Bristol Township School District announced that the disciplinary process for a long-term suspension or expulsion has been initiated.
Law enforcement continued to investigate the shooting as of Tuesday night.
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Given the developing nature of the situation and the involvement of teenagers, authorities have provided limited information.
“We respect and understand that this is a concerning and distressing development,” the district said.
The district plans to have counseling service available for students.
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The district added: “The safety and security of our students and staff is our most important shared responsibility. All members of our school community should be aware, vigilant and detail any concerns to authorities.”
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