VERONA — A 17-year-old student faces multiple charges after a replica handgun was discovered at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High/Middle School Thursday morning, authorities said.
According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol, school staff were notified just before 9:30 a.m. about a social media post showing a student in a vehicle with what appeared to be a handgun visible.
Staff immediately alerted the Special Patrol Officer assigned to the school, prompting officials to implement a hold-in-place protocol while deputies investigated.
Deputies located and secured an air-powered replica of a Glock pistol from the parking lot without incident.
Sheriff Maciol said no students or staff members were in danger at any time during the incident.
The juvenile was charged with making a threat of mass harm, a Class B misdemeanor; unlawful possession of a weapon on school grounds, a violation; and obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
The teen was issued appearance tickets returnable to Oneida County Juvenile Probation.
