Student Had Loaded Gun In Lowell School, Threatened To 'Shoot Up The Block': DA

A student at Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School told faculty that multiple students might have brought weapons to school, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office said. The informant said they planned to "shoot up the block."

Lowell police were dispatched to the school around 12:45 p.m.  

Officers spotted a 16-year-old carrying an over-the-shoulder bag as he left the Middle Street school. When they confronted the boy, he attacked an officer and tried to escape, the prosecutor said. 

Police were able to pin him and found a loaded revolver inside the bag. 

Authorities locked down the school, and a K9 unit was brought in to search for other weapons. But none were found. 

The boy was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds, assault and battery of a police officer, and possession of ammunition without a license, the district attorney's office said. He was arraigned in juvenile court on Wednesday. 

The teen's name was not released because of his age. 

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan thanked the student for coming forward to report a gun on campus. 

It is imperative that, as we continue to train parents, educators, and law enforcement around the issue of gun violence in schools, that we remember that students are one of our best assets. We know that students are often more likely to hear these kinds of threats, see something on social media or have knowledge that a peer has access to a weapon. Guns and threats of violence have no place in our schools and we will hold responsible those who jeopardize the safety of our schools.

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