Authorities say student brought .22 caliber handgun to Monroe school

MONROE, Maine (WABI) - We’re learning more information about a student who allegedly brought a gun to school in Monroe last week.

Authorities now say that ten-year-old student is facing multiple charges.

Officers responded to Monroe Elementary School just before 9am Friday for a report of a student that was in possession of a firearm.

No one was hurt.

Authorities say the student had a .22 caliber handgun.

Other students became aware of it on the bus then reported it to school administration.

Officials say they worked with school staff to ensure the situation was safe, detaining the student and seizing the firearm.

They say the firearm was found unloaded with bullets in the same bag when it was recovered.

While this event was a surprise to many, RSU 3 School Resource Officer, Deputy Jordan Tozier, says students are trained to be aware.

Through the “ALICE” program, students are taught to Alert someone of any issue or unsafe situation, so that authorities can Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate to resolve such situations.

“We really try to empower our students to speak up if they see something that’s unsafe, and we really stress to them that, you know, we can’t do this alone. I can’t keep this, you know, district safe by myself. I need help. I need everybody to sort of step up and report things if they see something that’s unsafe. This incident, in my opinion, went as well as it could have because of quick acting. We’re very appreciative of our staff and our students for coming forward,” said Tozier.

The student has been charged with aggravated reckless conduct, criminal terrorizing and threatening, and threatening display of or carrying a concealed weapon.

The student has been released to their parents and will be in court in May.

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