WHITEHOUSE, Ohio — A student is under investigation after an incident during an Anthony Wayne football game Friday.
According to a Whitehouse Police report, officers working special detail at the football game when a school employee told them a student had a firearm. Police said they were able to take the student away from the crowd of other students, detain him and confiscated from him a "foldable pistol that appeared to be a cell phone when folded up".
An officer wrote in a report that the weapon was "heavy, made of metal and had two chambers". The officer then removed the ammunition from the object and searched the student's backpack, in which they claimed to locate a karambit knife and a foldable knife.
Police took the student into custody and transported him to the Juvenile Justice Center. Following further investigation at the police department, police said they determined the firearm was not real, but was instead a toy; the knives, however, were real, police claimed. Authorities charged the student with inducing panic and illegal conveyance of a dangerous weapon on school grounds.
The student allegedly told police the gun was to be used as self-defense if someone wanted to fight him.
In a letter sent to families Friday, Anthony Wayne Local Schools Superintendent Jim Fritz summarized the event and said district administrators have not been able to interview the students, as he remains in police custody.
The student was not allowed to attend the homecoming dance and is not permitted to attend school until the police investigation is complete, Fritz said.
“The District thanks the student who reported this concern immediately to police,” Fritz said in the letter. “Thank you for continuing to remind your students to report any safety concerns that they may have. It is through a collaborative effort that we keep our school community safe.”
Fritz also reminded families to speak with their students about the importance of reporting safety concerns to adults.
As an added safety precaution, the homecoming dance had an increased police presence Saturday night.
If you are a student in Ohio with a safety concern, contact local authorities, district officials or use the Safer Ohio School Tip Line by calling or texting 844-723-3764 (844-SaferOH.) You can also use the Safer Ohio School Tip Line app or website at this link. You can remain anonymous.
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