Cops: Boy wanted police to shoot him outside school

A 14-year-old boy who was arrested after he was spotted with a fake gun near a Burlington County elementary school told authorities he wanted officers to kill him, according to police.

Evesham Township police said two parents saw the Marlton teenager carrying a handgun near Van Zant Elementary School just before 3:50 p.m. Monday and contacted authorities.

Two off-duty New Jersey State Police troopers tackled the teenager as other responding officers searched the school and surrounding area for any additional threats.

The boy, whose name was not released, told investigators that he wanted to force officers to shoot him in a suicide attempt, police said.

Authorities said they don't believe the boy wanted to harm anyone at the school.

He was taken to a mental-health facility for evaluation and is facing charges that include aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats and trespassing.

The firearm the parents saw was determined to be a replica handgun, police said.

The school, located at 270 Conestoga Drive in Marlton, was in lock down for about half an hour.