By Izaskun E. Larrañeta

and Greg Smith

Police arrested an 11-year-old student Thursday on charges he brought aloaded gun to school where it discharged in a bathroom with other students present.

The incident occurred Wednesday just after the 2:05 p.m. dismissal at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

The gun was fired in a second-floor boys' bathroom where one student was apparently showing it to a group of other students, according to New London acting Police Chief Peter Reichard.

No injuries were reported.

“They were very lucky no one was injured,” Reichard said. “This could have been a tragic case had the gun discharged and struck one of the kids.”

After the gun was fired, Reichard said one of the students notified a teacher in the hallway that a “cap gun,” went off. The teacher found a small revolver in the bathroom.

Responding police moved all remaining students to a secure location in the school while officers performed a search. Reichard said police found a bullet on the floor of the bathroom, where it likely landed after ricocheting off either the cinder block walls or tile floor. No other weapons were found during the search of the school.

Police charged the 11-year-old with possession of a weapon on school grounds, carrying a pistol without a permit, unlawful discharge of a firearm and reckless endangerment. The student was issued a juvenile court summons to attend court with his parents.

Police said no threats had been made prior to the incident toward any students or staff. They described it as an isolated incident.

Reichard said the history of the gun and where the child obtained the gun are part of the ongoing investigation. He declined to speculate on any possible charges faced by the gun’s owner but said there exists a law that mandates a gun be secured.

Earlier Thursday the New London Public Schools issued a statement saying the student responsible had been suspended.

"As always, we are continuously in the process of evaluating our safety procedures and protocols," the statement said. "Actions taken related to the incident will be reviewed by the New London Police Department and New London Public Schools administration."

Police said there would be an added police presence at the school Thursday and Friday as a result of the incident. School psychologists also will be available for counseling if needed.

The school's statement said all parents were contacted. A “robo-call” went out to all parents about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday to notify parents. A second call went out Thursday to give parents an update.

The school has posted a letter from School Superintendent Manny Rivera to parents on its website explaining the incident.

“Unfortunately, incidents such as this are happening more often than they should in schools across the America,” Rivera wrote in the letter. “The best action we can take to create a safe environment is to focus on prevention and to be proactive. When our students, staff and parents see, hear or are aware of any information that could potentially jeopardize the safety of our students or staff, it is important that information be shared immediately.”

Rivera was not available to comment Thursday.

New London Schools Communications Manager Julianne Hanckel said the school system has an overall safety plan in place and a new state-mandated all-hazard plan currently under review at the state level. Hanckel said the school is conducting its own internal review of Wednesday’s incident, and a districtwide staff meeting is planned to review safety protocols.

Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School employs two unarmed safety officers. Reichard said there is one uniformed police officer whose primary focus is the high school. Funds for a second school resource recently were cut from the budget by the finance committee of the City Council.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay

i.larraneta@theday.com

Twitter: @larraneta