UPDATE: Girl, 14, charged after students brought gun into Rochester charter school

UPDATE: A 14-year-old girl facing is weapons charges after Rochester police said two students brought a loaded gun into the Academy of Health Sciences Charter School on Wednesday. A 13-year-old boy was released without being charged.

The girl was arraigned in Monroe County Family Court and she was taken to the Monroe County Children’s Center. RPD said the information they’re releasing is limited because it involves juveniles.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Police are holding two young students who are accused of taking a loaded gun to school in Rochester.

The gun was found at the Academy of Health Sciences Charter School on Lake Avenue on Wednesday. We know those two students are here in the Public Safety Building right as investigators try to determine just how that loaded gun wound up inside the school. 

Around 11:30 a.m., police responded to the Academy of Health Sciences Charter School for the report of a loaded gun inside. School officials told them they learned of it and were able to recover the weapon without anyone getting hurt.

Police have detained a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy whom they believe are responsible. RPD lieutenant Greg Bello says the age of these students is concerning.

“This is very young. This is the youngest I can think of that we’ve had,” Bello said. “At least this school year, I think this is the only gun we’ve had so far this school year. So we’d love to have kept that number at zero. But we’re gonna keep working toward keeping that at one. And everybody needs to come together for something like that, parents, school officials, counselors. Everyone needs to come together to keep firearms from getting in the hand of 13, 14, school kids. At the end of the day.”

Lt. Bello says they are looking into how the students got ahold of the gun and were able to bring it into school. An investigation is ongoing.

Principal Wanda Perez-Brundage sent a letter to families, which reads in part:

“Today at AHS a gun was reported, found, safely confiscated, and secured away from students and staff. The weapon was secured without any incident. Neither the weapon nor the students involved remain on AHS property. There is no basis to conclude that the individuals intended to use the weapon or cause any harm to students or staff. Police and parents of students involved were called immediately and all parties were cooperative in the process. AHS has taken appropriate corrective action in accordance with our Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct clearly prohibits bringing any weapon of any kind to the school building. We remain 100% committed to student safety and thank you for your support.”