School: Student brought airsoft gun to elementary

A 9-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday after school officials say he was spotted with an airsoft gun outside Oakdale Elementary School in Green Township.

The school was locked down after a few students told administrators they saw the boy in the woods behind the school during second grade recess about 1 p.m., Principal Geoffrey Harold wrote on the school's Facebook page.

No one was hurt, and the child was apprehended at his home without incident.

He was not in class when he was spotted in the woods because he was suspended for a previous infraction at the school, said Green Township Police Chief Bart West.

"Today during 2nd grade recess it was reported by a few students that there was a juvenile in the woods behind Oakdale's property with what appeared to be a weapon," he wrote in the posting, published Wednesday afternoon.

" As a precautionary measure, all students were brought inside, the police were called, and no one was permitted to leave the building," Harold wrote. "The police reported that they apprehended the suspect at his house, a 9-year old male, with an airsoft gun. I want to thank all of the teachers and students for their cooperation in keeping everyone safe. I would also like to thank the Green Twp. police for their prompt response and investigation."

Airsoft guns are replica, nonlethal weapons that fire round, 6mm projectiles of plastic, aluminum and/or biodegradable materials.

Later Wednesday, the principal updated the school's Facebook page with a second posting that indicated the student "will no longer be attending Oakdale Elementary."

"The district is in the process of going through steps to determine his next placement," he wrote. "In addition, Green Township Police are heavily involved in our efforts to keep him away from our school grounds. If you have further questions please see Mr. Harold or Mr. Melvin in the office at Oakdale. Thank you again for your support."

Police are still investigating where the boy got the weapon. His family told officers they did not have that information, the police chief said.