Discovery of gun is talk of school

MADISON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Students at Daniel Hand High School react to the drama that erupted on a school bus Thursday morning. A freshman showed off a fake gun on his way to school and authorities were quickly notified.

"I came to school and I saw a police car in the driveway in the school," Junior Sam Jablonski said.

"It spread around school pretty quickly," Junior Daniel Gardner said.

"I heard rumors around school. All different kinds of stories," Junior Jake Leichgman told News 8.

Police said a 14-year-old boy was showing off a fake firearm. They described it as an airsoft style pistol.

Students said he painted it black.

"He pretended that it was a real gun and some people were a little scared, but then they found out later it was a fake gun, so the worry kinda subsided," Gardner said.

"Like I wouldn't know if it was a real gun or not, so I would probably stay silent, but props to the kid who told his parents," Leichgman said.

Students say police greeted the freshman at school after some quick thinking of a fellow student who texted his parents of when he saw the unloaded weapon.

It's situation students say they're taught how to react to.

"Throughout the year we have lock-downs, just once every couple of months, and just so we know how to handle it and what to do," Jablonski said.

The child is charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds, Carrying a facsimile firearm, and Breach of Peace.

"Everyone makes mistakes. No matter how bad a kid is, like they can easily recover from it and I hope he learns his lesson," Gardner said.