POUGHKEEPSIE – A student who was reported to have a gun in his possession was removed from Poughkeepsie Middle School on Thursday afternoon. Sources have told Mid-Hudson News that the student is in eighth grade.
According to sources, at least one City of Poughkeepsie police officer located the student in the school after he was said to have a weapon. The student was reportedly found with a BB gun that was a replica of an actual handgun. Early reports indicate that the student was transported to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department Juvenile Division for further investigation.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric Rosser was asked how it was possible for the student to have gotten the weapon past security and into the building and he responded by saying “The facts associated with this incident are not fully clear and an internal investigation into this matter is in progress.”
Staff members at the middle school held a “de-briefing” meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday in the building to discuss the incident.
In February the middle and high schools were closed for several days due to the threat of violence. Prior to the return of staff and students, new security measures were put in place. According to Dr. Rosser, security includes the use of metal detectors and bag checks at the middle school.
In January, the district received a $500,000 grant to improve security. The story can be found here.
