Teen charged with five felonies after gun found

A 15-year-old Middletown High School student faced five felony charges on Tuesday following the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun and a 4-inch knife in his crossbody bag.

Delaware State Police confirmed the arrest was triggered by a parent's report from Monday. The parent told officials the student had displayed a knife and made threatening statements at school.

At approximately 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, a School Resource Officer and school staff met the student as he arrived on campus. They escorted him into an empty classroom and attempted to inspect his backpack and crossbody bag. The student resisted the search, leading to a struggle before officers secured both bags.

Inside the crossbody bag, investigators found the loaded handgun and the knife. The student was charged with possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition by a person under 21, and possession of a firearm in a safe school zone. He also faced charges for possessing a deadly weapon other than a firearm by a person under 18 and other related offenses.

The Appoquinimink School District sent a message to families confirming the situation. The district stated it is actively working with Delaware State Police and declared there is no current threat at the school. Officials thanked the parent who reported the concern and commended school teams for their quick response.

The student remains charged with five felonies as the investigation continues.