MIDDLETOWN – Two male Middletown High School students were turned
over to Middletown City Police on Friday when weapons were found. They
were apparently brought to school as the students were involved in an
ongoing “community issue.”
In a letter to parents, school Principal Tracey Sorrentino said an 18-year-old
high school junior was arrested by Middletown Police after school security
found a loaded gun in the student’s locker.
A second student, a 17-year-old sophomore, was arrested by the police,
also Friday morning, because he brought a knife to school. The knife was
discovered by a school administrator.
“Unfortunately, these students made bad choices over a community
issue,” said Sorrentino. She did not identify the issue. “Prior
to today, once we were alerted to an ongoing issue between students, we
notified the City of Middletown Police and Town of Wallkill Police.”
The principal said school officials were vigilant in waiting for the 18-year-old
to appear at school on Friday and when he arrived, he was immediately
detained by school staff. The student dropped his book bag at his locker,
and was taken to building administration. At that point, his locker was
searched and the gun was found.
The younger student was also searched and the knife was found.
Sorrentino said at no time were the weapons brandished and the two students
did not make contact on school property on Friday.
“We will continue to cultivate a strong and open communication
between our students, parents and community to stay informed and proactive
with potential community collateral activity that may endanger and affect
our students,” Sorrentino wrote.
