Lincoln High senior caught with handgun, district says

An 11th grader who was supposed to be on suspension for fighting earlier this week entered Lincoln High School this morning with a loaded 9-millimeter handgun, Philadelphia School District officials said.

The teen, who entered through a cafeteria door while a delivery was being made, was stopped on the second floor when he was spotted by a staff member, said James Golden, the district's chief safety executive. He was taken to the school police office, where the gun was discovered on him.

The 17-year-old was arrested by city police and charged with having a weapon on school district property, he said.

School officials are not sure why he came into school shortly after 9:30 a.m.

"We're obviously very concerned because he was on suspension, not due back until next week. Why would he appear on Friday with a loaded firearm? Those are the poignant questions," Golden said.

The school, at 3201 Ryan Ave. in the Northeast, was not put on lockdown, and no one was injured, Golden said.

The student, who is involved in a feud with another group at the school, had been suspended for fighting on Monday and was not due to return until next week.

This is the second gun case in or near Lincoln in the last month. In April, police arrested two teens who had a loaded .45 caliber gun a block and a half from the school.

Golden said neighborhood rivalries have spilled into the school and caused conflict in recent months.

The student has been suspended for 10 days with the intent to remove him from the school permanently, Golden said.

"We're going to step up security at the school," he said.

A letter was sent home to parents, notifying them of what happened.

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