Student Found With Bullets at Cooperative Middle School

EXETER, NH — School officials and police are investigating after a student was found to have .22 caliber bullets at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. According to SAU16 officials, no threats have been made. School officials say they learned about the incident early Thursday morning, after some concerned students reported to administrators and school resource officer Amanda Bibeau that a sixth-grade student was in possession of two bullets.

After learning about the incident, school officials immediately identified the student. They found the two .22-caliber bullets, but no weapons or firearms, SAU16 officials say. According to the initial investigation, school officials and police do not believe that there is any danger to the school community, SAU16 officials said in a statement.

"We are grateful to the students who came forward to protect the safety of the Cooperative Middle School, and we commend them for reporting their concerns to trusted adults," said Principal Patty Wons. "As always, we would like to reinforce the notion that we should encourage our children to report their concerns when they see something or hear something out of the ordinary."

Wons and Superintendent David Ryan also encourage families to discuss the dangers of bringing any type of weapon or ammunition — live or not — or anything else unsafe to school.

Parents or community members who have questions or concerns about this incident may contact Wons at 603-775-8703.