Feb. 24, 2004 – Violence that erupted on Tuesday at a St. Croix parochial school resulted in a 13-year-old boy being taken into police custody on gun-related charges.
Police authorities said on Tuesday afternoon that the youth pulled a gun on a 12-year-old girl, a classmate at Nazarene Christian School in Golden Rock. The boy was detained for having a loaded .40 caliber handgun in his possession.
The students were said to be eighth graders.
According to Sgt. Thomas Hannah, Police Department spokesman, the boy brandished the gun and pointed it at the girl. Police were unclear as to what prompted the incident, but a source at the school said it had been reported that "the 13-year-old complained that the victim was talking about him."
Hannah said police officers seized the semi-automatic pistol and that the boy faces detention at the Youth Rehabilitation Center in Anna's Hope.
Police do not know how the suspect obtained the gun, Hannah said. He took the opportunity to urge parents and guardians to check their children's school bags before the youngsters leave home each day. "A simple check can prevent a major disaster from occurring," he said.
School officials did not comment on the incident.
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