Judge Orders Student with Air Gun Held Without Bail on Prior Legal Issue

A Haverhill juvenile, accused of carrying what appeared to be an air gun at John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School Friday, was ordered held without bail for a “probation issue.”

The order from a Lawrence juvenile court judge came during the unidentified male student’s arraignment Friday on two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon on school property. Bail for the charges by Haverhill police was set at $2,500 cash bail, according to Carrie Kimball Monahan, spokesperson for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. Friday’s incident at Whittier Middle School comes in the wake of two additional students arrested in Methuen late last week for alleged threats against a second school building in that community.

“It appears the student had an air gun that had a similar appearance to a handgun and also had a folding knife in his backpack,” said Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent James F. Scully. “The incident was handled expeditiously and efficiently.”

According to a statement Friday, a male student at Whittier Middle School was observed with what was believed to be a handgun. Haverhill Police, in response, removed the student from the building and placed him under arrest. The school resumed normal operation after police reported no further threat to the school following a brief period under a “stay in place mode.”

“The drills and practices that we routinely perform in our school system proved to be of great value and all responses were appropriate,” Scully added. “Everyone was safe during the entire incident that transpired in (a) matter of moments.”

3 thoughts on “Judge Orders Student with Air Gun Held Without Bail on Prior Legal Issue

    • This was only an air gun and what about the “previous” issue ? So this kid is already in the system it seems. So sad that so many kids have no parental guidance and role models.

      • Hey Jack – quick question – how is the Eagle Tribune even surviving? That web site and paper are a complete waste of time. Also – in reviewing our upcoming election in the city – how do you see it?

        My view? I have done all the research I can and at this point will be sitting this election out – first time I have ever done that – but nothing but the same old people running with the same old philosophies.

        More taxes, more fees, more spending, more borrowing………Haverhill is a mess and most people won’t even take the time to see that.