Police and school officials now believe a bullet shell casing found Monday on the grounds of Pentucket Regional Middle High School was dropped accidentally and there is no danger.
The discovery of the shell first prompted concern about 1:30, Monday afternoon when a student reported finding a handgun caliber shell casing in the parking lot near the football field. Following established procedures, school administrators said, they called West Newbury Police Department. Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said in a joint statement the shell was found several hundred yards from the Pentucket Regional Middle High School building school and the incident did not require school dismissal.
Dwyer and Bartholomew said a school family reported early Monday night they recently parked in the area and the casing likely fell from their vehicle or pocket. The adult guardian and student said they were target shooting at a local range recently and the shell was likely errant.
“Thankfully, all indications are that the casing was dropped by accident and there is no threat or danger to the school community., “Dwyer said. West Newbury Police said they do not expect to file charges.
Earlier, West Newbury, Groveland and Merrimac Police Departments and members of the Northeastern Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council’s K-9 Team searched the campus and found no other items or ongoing risk to students and staff.