By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

The student who brought a gun to West High School last week is being held at the Youth Development Center in Concord.

"The individual is being held pending a trial or hearing in the state Juvenile Justice system," said Manchester Police Sgt. Mark S. Fowke. "At this point, we are certain that he acted alone."

A 14-year-old male was disarmed by Manchester police officers after a brief struggle shortly before 9 a'm. on Nov. 30. The student is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in Concord on Monday, Dec. 12.

"There was no lockdown of the school in this situation because it was over in less than 15 minutes," Principal Janice Thompson said.

A student informed school officials that the 14-year-old might be carrying a firearm, and Assistant Principal MaryEllen McGorry escorted him out of class.

It was only after the suspect saw police officers approaching that he became combative. A brief struggle revealed a .32 caliber handgun loaded with two rounds of ammunition.

Police say the student could face delinquent charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm and resisting arrest.

"Because the individual is under the age of 17, he will be tried by the state's juvenile justice system," said Fowke. "It's difficult to say exactly what the charges are, but he would plead true or not true."

Thompson said the anonymous tip was instrumental in bringing the situation to an end without violence or injury, and tips can prevent future occurences.

Shortly after that incident, a student discovered a bomb threat scribbled on the inside of a desk and quickly notified authorities. An investigation and search revealed nothing.

Fowke said police have no reason to believe that the student with the gun can be connected to the note about the bomb.

"We encourage our students to tell an adult or a teacher if they think something is not right," said Thompson. "Kids know everything before we do, anyway. They care about themselves and their friends."

Thompson said the bombthreat note was found deep inside a desk. It was difficult to determine when it was written.

"The note mentioned that a bomb would go off at 10:30 a'm. on 12-02," she said. "It was very hard to ascertain how long the note was there. Was it one day, or one year? Who knows."

The administration does not take any threats of violence lightly, Thompson said, and students are generally cooperative with searches. This is the first time in her memory that a gun has been brought to school.

"The last time a weapon was here was before I started," she said. "If it's been here, it's been a long while. We will occasionally find a knife. I've seen two or three a year."

The school of 2,279 does not have metal detectors, but a police school resource officer is assigned to West High School.