Loaded Handgun Found at School

ROCKFORD - A 12-year-old boy is arrested after police find a loaded handgun inside his locker, making this the second reported gun incident at a Rockford Public School this week.

Two gun incidents in two days, and both brought to the attention of school staff Rockford students.

Around 8 Friday morning police were called to Kennedy Middle School after workers there found a loaded handgun inside a 12-year-olds locker.

The gun was not fired and no one was injured.  The child has been arrested by police.

The 12-year-old's arrest came just one day after police were called to Rockford East High School.  On Thursday, police chased and arrested a 15-year-old from the school who had apparently been seen by other students with a gun. 

However, when he was caught no weapon was ever recovered.

"We got some really great kids out there who recognized the danger right away and ran to the adult staff at the school to report the incidents," Said Lt. Pat Hoey of the Rockford Police department.

District 205 leaders issued this statement about the two incidents saying;

"These matters are handled by skillful professionals in both organizations whose paramount concern is the safety and well being of our students.  Our data continues to show us that the vast majority of our students follow the rules and are focused on obtaining a quality education."

Police say that these are isolated incidents and that keeping students safe while at school is a number one priority. 

The 12-year-old has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and is currently in the Winnebago County Juvenile Assessment Center.