Student With BB Gun Arrested After Alternative School Lockdown, Police Say

UPDATE: [03/02/13; 1:20 p.m.] Lower Providence Township Police were called to the Lincoln Center at 2600 Eisenhower Ave., in Eagleville around 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, for what was earlier indicated as a man with a gun on the premises.

Several units responded to the scene and secured the area. One subject was seen in custody in the back of a police SUV in the parking lot of the facility.

Gary Grenier, executive director for the nonprofit alternative school, told reporters that school was placed on lockdown after school staff became aware that a student at the center had brought a "non letheal" weapon – a BB gun – to school.

According to a Lower Providence Township official, the gun was found in a bathroom and the student who brought it into the building, a 14-year-old Norristown resident, was identified and located a short distance from the school.

"We called the police and they acted appropriately," said Grenier. "[They] secured the weapon and arrested the young man."

Grenier said no one was injured in the incident and that the school returned to normal operation shortly after the police left. 

"We work with children who we refer to as nontraditional learners," said Grenier. "Kids come here from various school districts and we work with them on making positive choices. So this is the kind of youth we might be working with, but this was not a good choice, obviously."

Grenier said the school has protocals for incidents such as this and that the school had recently reviewed their emergency procedures. He said today's incident was handled particularly well 

"We were very pleased," said Grenier. "The staff appropriately followed those protocals, the students were calm, things were secured and actually we'll have another review in detail."

The juvenile is being charged with possession of a weapon on school property and is currently being detained at the Montgomery County Youth Detention Center.  

The Lower Providence Township Police Department was assisted by the West Norriton Township Police Department, according to a release issued by the township.

---

Original story:

Lower Providence Township Police were called to 2600 Eisenhower Ave., Eagleville for the need to lockdown a local office building around 11 a.m. on Thursday. Labeled as the "Lincoln Center," the buisness is currently secured on lockdown as police investigate the scene.

The center serves as the Lincoln Center for Family and Youth, according to officers at the scene.

Sources say that the call that spurred the action was a result of a black man, carrying a gun and backpack, walking in the area of the complex. The man was heading southwest on Adams Avenue, causing alarm to some witnesses. It is unknown of the status of this person.

One man was seen by reporters being taken away from the scene in the back of a Lower Providence police car. His status or reason for removal is not yet being released.

Patch's editor is at the scene now, and more details will be posted as they are made available.

Editor's Note:  An earlier version of the story incorrectly listed 940 Adams Ave. as the location's address. That, however, was incorrect. A corrected version is above.