Another gun sneaks into an elementary school

EMPTY SEATS aren't the only things Philadelphia public schools have too many of.

For the second time in less than a week, a loaded handgun was found at an elementary school. Police were called Monday to John F. Reynolds School, on 24th Street near Jefferson in North Philadelphia, shortly after 8 a.m.

School-district officials said a 7-year-old student brought a handgun into the school in his backpack and showed the gun to multiple students before class. At some point, officials said, the first-grader took the gun out of the bag and pointed it at another student.

"Our preliminary investigation does indicate the student pointed the gun at another student," district spokesman Fernando Gallard confirmed.

Another student alerted a school police officer, who escorted the boy to the principal's office, Gallard said.

Police recovered a .357 Magnum revolver. They are investigating how the student got a hold of the weapon, but said it does not appear he intended to harm anyone.

On Thursday, police recovered a loaded handgun from Daroff Charter School, near 56th and Vine in West Philadelphia, after a 7-year-old boy found the gun in his backpack and alerted a teacher.

The boy's stepfather, Tarron Wescott, 22, was charged with child endangerment, reckless endangerment and receiving stolen property.

Gallard said the student at Reynolds would likely face suspension and receive follow-up support from the district. "We are very grateful and very proud of the student that came forward and informed us of what they saw in the school," Gallard said.

Coincidentally, Chief Inspector Cynthia Dorsey, who oversees the district's police force, testified Monday before City Council about the need for stricter security measures in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting and recent incidents.

"Just [Monday] morning at the Reynolds School, a 7-year-old brought a fully loaded .357 Magnum into the school yard and pointed it at another student, so these are the things we're dealing with security-wise," Dorsey testified.

There have been at least two other reports of guns at schools since September. On Jan. 11, a 21-year-old woman was arrested at South Philadelphia High with a loaded gun in a baby's diaper bag. The same day, a ninth-grader at Benjamin Franklin High was caught trying to smuggle a gun into the school in his shoe.

No school shootings have been reported this school year.