DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — Central Dauphin School District will tonight hold its first board meeting since a 17-year-old boy brought a gun into school.
Many parents, students and staff impacted by the lockdown echoed how important it is for students to reach out if they need help.
“It’s just so important for parents to talk to their children,” said Aaron McConnell, Central Dauphin School District Superintendent. He added, “To bring firearms, to make threats, to bully, you know it’s just a serious situation.”
The incident all started over a picture of the weapon that a student allegedly brought to school. It was a different student who made the initial report to school administrators.
The 17-year-old juvenile is facing charges for possession of a weapon on school property, receiving stolen property, firearms not to be carried without a license and possession of a firearm by a minor.
Police say the handgun recovered was stolen from Lower Paxton Township in 2023. The teen is being detained until his preliminary hearing.
Officials want to remind the public, especially parents, that the investigation into the incident is still active and ongoing. Anyone with information useful to the investigation is asked to contact the authorities.
If a student has information they haven't already reported, they can contact a School Police Officer or speak with a teacher.
“Talk to a parent or at least trust an adult before you decide like this or at least think it over,” said Isaiah Palmer, a junior at Central Dauphin East High School. "You don’t want to hurt someone else or go to jail for a long time just for you to do something petty or stupid like that."
The meeting will take place at the Central Dauphin East High School auditorium at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26. The public is invited to voice their questions and concerns.