Pair of Swampscott students in hot water after pellet gun found

SWAMPSCOTT – A pellet gun was found in an unattended backpack in the Swampscott High School cafeteria Wednesday resulting in two students being disciplined.Superintendent Matthew Malone said a staff member found the air gun at approximately 12:30 p.m. after searching an unattended bag left on a table in the lunchroom. After finding what she believed to be a gun, she contacted the principal.According to school officials, Detective Rose Cheever examined the object and determined it was an air soft pistol, which is commonly known as a pellet gun. Malone said school officials identified the student who owned the bag and interviewed him.Malone said the student told police another student purchased the pellet gun online from Dick’s Sporting Goods for him. He said he intended to use the gun in the woods after school with his friends.Malone said it is not illegal for students to possess this type of air gun, but it is illegal to bring it to school.Malone said the student possessing the gun has been disciplined and the police will pursue criminal charges. Also, the student who purchased the air pistol has been identified and his parents notified of his involvement.”We found no evidence that this air pistol was brought to school to do harm to any student or staff member,” he said. “It appears that both boys made poor decisions and did not understand the consequences. The students will both face the actual consequences of their poor decision, which could range from suspension up to expulsion.Malone said the district sent an automated call to parents at 6 p.m. on Wednesday informing them of the incident.Wednesday’s incident comes on the heels of a bomb threat made at the school on Friday.According to Police Chief Ronald Madigan, a male caller left the threat on the answering machine in the high school office at approximately 7 a.m.”The message wasn’t retrieved until approximately 7:55 a.m.,” he said. “After an assessment of the threat, it was determined not to be credible however a search of the school was conducted.”Malone said the school immediately notified the police and fire departments.”We addressed the issue on site and did a very thorough, extremely sensitive investigation on site that I personally observed in action,” he said. “We made calls as to how proceed for the rest of the day. A connect-ed call was sent out immediately notifying parents of the situation.”Madigan said the incident is still under investigation and the department would pursue criminal charges against the perpetrators.