Handgun found in Middletown High School student's bag, official says

A handgun was found in a Middletown High School student's bag Friday, according to Appoquinimink School District's superintendent.

The gun was discovered after a teacher called the school office shortly before noon to report an altercation between two students, Superintendent Matt Burrows said in a letter to district parents.

Staff separated the students before any punches were thrown, and no one was hurt, Burrows said.

One of the students was confirmed by police to have a handgun, Master Cpl. Michael Austin of Delaware State Police said. 

State police responded to the school's 911 call and took the student into custody. Officers are processing the arrest warrants, Austin said.

The student was immediately suspended, Burrows said. Pending a formal investigation, the student will not be allowed contact with other students or staff and will not be allowed on school property.

Burrows praised staff for responding quickly and calmly. 

"[But] We'd like to emphasize that the real heroes today were our Middletown High School staff. Their vigiliance, quick thinking and solid instincts contained the situation before it even began."

The incident happened on the same day that a 17-year-old boy fatally shot at least 10 people at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas. The suspect was later taken into custody.

This story includes information from USA TODAY.

Contact Josephine Peterson at (302) 324-2856 or jhpeterson@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @jopeterson93.