Today, at approximately 12:00 P.M., the school resource officers assigned to the Clifton High School (specifically Detectives Hillyer and Smith) received information that a student was in possession of a loaded firearm on campus. Determining that the information was credible, school officials were notified and the Clifton High School campus was placed into a "lock-down." Having only been provided with a first name, the resource officers along with school officials immediately began an investigation into determining the identity of this individual. A short time later, a possible identity of the student in question was established and the officers immediately responded to a classroom in the "east wing" which, according to the school class schedule, was where this individual was assigned during this particular period. Upon their arrival, the officers were advised that the student had been granted a hall pass just moments prior and could have been anywhere within the campus grounds.
The officers then initiated a systematic search of the building and entered a restroom known to the officers as an area that would be accessible to students. At that time, the officers encountered 15 male students inside the bathroom area and after a process of elimination, were able to locate the student in question and ultimately recovered a metal framed "BB" style pistol (capable of discharging plastic and metal BB's) from the student's waistband. The 15 year old student was placed under arrest and conveyed to the Clifton Police Department where he was charged with weapons offenses and ultimately conveyed to the Essex County Juvenile Shelter in Newark.
According to the student, he possessed the weapon solely for the purpose of "giving it to a friend at the end of the day." There is no information indicating that the student had intentions to commit a criminal offense with the weapon. There are no further details available at this time.
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