DA: 2 students in custody after guns found at Charlestown High School

Two students were taken into custody after a pair of guns were found at Charlestown High School on Thursday morning, authorities said.

A 13-year-old student from Hyde Park and a 17-year-old student from Mission Hill are facing charges in connection with the incident, according to Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

Shortly after 10:00 a.m., a staff member was monitoring the halls of the school and was asked to check on two students loitering in the 4th floor bathroom. The staff member saw the suspect throw away vaping materials into a trash can, and brought him into a nearby office to search his backpack. A 9mm Glock handgun with 8 rounds of ammunition was found inside the backpack and staff immediately called police. The school was placed in “Safe Mode” shortly thereafter and the 13-year-old suspect was taken into custody.

Around 12:30 p.m., Boston Police found a second 9mm Glock handgun in an unattended backpack while sweeping the school. The 17-year-old suspect had been seen going in and out of the same bathroom with the 13-year-old suspect earlier in the day. The 17-year-old was then taken into custody without incident.

In a statement, Hayden said, “The guns seized today in Charlestown High School present yet another reminder that this is not just a problem for police or for prosecutors or for school staff. It’s a problem for all of society, a problem that demands discussion in boardrooms and backyards and everywhere in between. We’re seeing too many guns and people too willing to use them. Solving the problem rests with all of us.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu arrived at the school shortly after police were called to the scene.

In a statement, she said, “I was briefed by BPS and BPD this afternoon on the swift actions taken to ensure the safety of all students at Charlestown High School. This is a close-knit school community, and thanks to the strong relationships between adults and students the situation was identified quickly, with rapid and thorough response from educators and Boston Police.”


School administrators say they saw what they described as a “hand-off” on school cameras near one of the bathrooms, prompting a call to police.

In a statement, Boston Public Schools said:

Today’s incident at Charlestown High School represents a serious security breach that will not be tolerated. We are grateful no one was hurt and we want to ensure students get all of the support they require. Our schools must be safe learning environments where students and staff feel secure. We are working in collaboration with the Boston Police and BPS Safety Services to ensure the safety of this community. Over the next few days, additional adult and safety personnel will be present at the school.

We understand that incidents such as these cause concern and raise anxiety for students and parents alike. We encourage anyone who does not feel safe for any reason to tell their school leader or another trusted adult.

Police cruisers were seen parked outside the school on Medford Street for the majority of the day.

Both teens will appear in Boston Juvenile Court.

The 13-year-old is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. The juvenile was held on $2,500 bail and ordered on home confinement. The teen is also ordered to stay away from Charlestown High School and any witnesses.

“As a mom, I am heartbroken that any of our young people would make the dangerous decision to carry a weapon,” Mayor Wu said. “[I] am determined that each of our children will be and feel safe in our schools, on their commutes to school, and throughout our neighborhoods.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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