A 15-year-old is in custody after a loaded handgun was found inside a backpack at the Research Lab for Bioinformatics and Life Sciences in Buffalo Thursday morning. Research Lab is one of three schools inside the former Bennett High School.
The school was put into a shelter in place after the gun was found, prompting concerned parents to show up outside of the school.
Prior to the announcement a gun had been found, one parent found out about the lockdown after receiving a text from their child.
“She didn't know if it was a drill or not,” they said. “I did try calling the school several times to no answer. I tried calling the Board of Education to no answer. And so, I'm here waiting to see what's going on.”
Upon hearing the gun had been recovered the same parent worried about the mental toll the pandemic has had on students and advocated for the return of a preventative safety measure from the past.
“I think Buffalo Public Schools should put the metal detectors back in school because this wouldn't have happened if the metal detectors were still in there,” they said. “I mean even if it is something like a Glock there's still metal parts in the Glock and it's going to read.”
Buffalo Police have not released any more information at this time.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and WBFO will provide updates as more information surfaces.
