Student caught with toy gun in Mt. Vernon school

Police say a student brought a toy gun to Nellie Thorton High School Wednesday, prompting the school district and city officials to consider stepping up security measures. The incident comes one day

News 12 Staff

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Sep 17, 2008, 11:32 PM

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Updated 5,791 days ago

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Police say a student brought a toy gun to Nellie Thorton High School Wednesday, prompting the school district and city officials to consider stepping up security measures.

The incident comes one day after police in Yonkers put out a warning that realistic-looking toy weapons could lead to deadly confrontations.

Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young says he is willing to do everything in his power to keep guns, plastic or otherwise, out of the city?s schools.

"I will converse with the superintendent and find out if there is anything we as a municipal police department or public safety can do to help them," he says.

Officials say the student, whose name has not been released, snuck the toy gun by security, but his classmates spotted the fake weapon and notified staff members.

The toy gun was seized, and police were called to the scene. Detectives who arrived at the school determined the firearm was not a real weapon.

District Spokesperson Desiree Grand says the student did not use the replica to threaten anyone.

The Mount Vernon school district sent a memorandum to parents, advising them about the possible dangers of toy guns, like the one used in an attempted robbery by two 13-year-olds.

According to Grand, the student has not been suspended, but some disciplinary action will be taken.

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