Gun incident cancels school game

Spring-Ford Area High School officials called off last night's football game after a gun incident stemming from an after-school fight over a girl.

The dispute erupted yesterday afternoon near the high school in Royersford, Montgomery County, shortly after students were dismissed.

Citing this week's foiled plot at another county school - in which a teenager  allegedly wanted to carry out a "Columbine-type" assault at Plymouth Whitemarsh High - Spring-Ford Area Superintendent Marsha Hurda said the game against Lansdale Catholic was postponed for safety reasons.

"I feel that canceling this game is the safest and most responsible action I can take as your superintendent," Hurda said in a statement on the district's Web site, www.spring-ford.net.

Late last night, Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County first assistant district attorney, said that the alleged 17-year-old gunman had been identified by Limerick Township police and that an arrest was expected.

As news about the gun incident spread yesterday afternoon, parents rushed to the scene, which is near a 7-Eleven convenience store, a popular Friday-night hangout for students.

"It's very nerve-wracking to know your child could, God forbid, be part of a shooting," said JoAnn Mavromanolis, whose teenage nephews attend nearby schools. "I want something to be done right away."

The melee began when a 17-year-old male student was confronted by another teenager in the parking lot of the Spring-Ford Area Family Practice Center, witnesses said.

The alleged assailant is not a Spring-Ford Area High student and does not reside in the community, Hurda said.

He was upset because his girlfriend, who attends the 1,900-student high school, recently ended their relationship and the 17-year-old girl was interested in the other teen, witnesses said.

The girl's mother, Laurie Borzumati, 41, of Royersford, said her daughter had spoken to police. "He's coming up here terrorizing my daughter. It's ridiculous," Borzumati said.

Eyewitnesses said the attacker confronted the other teenager, throwing a punch at his head, and the two fell to the ground.

Ferman said a weapon concealed in the assailant's pants leg fell onto the pavement. Witnesses said it was possibly a black .22-caliber handgun.

The weapon was never used or displayed, Ferman said.

"My stomach jumped" when the gun came out, said Bryana Prettyman, 15, of Linfield.

"I ran as fast as I could when I saw the gun," said Tom Watkins, 15.

The football game was rescheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Spring-Ford stadium, Hurda said.

Lansdale Catholic's athletic director, Jim Algeo, said his team was only minutes from Spring-Ford's field when the game was postponed. He said school officials "had to make that decision."

"It's just the times we live in," Algeo said.

Hurda did not return a telephone message left at her home. School Board President Donna L. Williams declined to comment.

The Spring-Ford Area District enrolls about 7,200 students from Royersford Borough and Limerick and Upper Providence Townships in Montgomery County, and Spring City in Chester County.