Police find gun magazine with 17 bullets in student's backpack in Ponce
The discovery at a private school prompted an immediate police response and activation of the school's security protocol, with the case now under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Corps.
PhotoThe short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reported that a magazine with 17 9mm bullets was found inside a student's backpack at a Ponce school on Thursday afternoon
- El Nuevo Día reported that agents from the Ponce Oeste precinct responded to Colegio Mercedario San Judas Tadeo after the discovery and referred the case to the CIC
- Primera Hora reported that the magazine was found in the backpack of a seventh-grade student and that the CIC is investigating its origin
- The school issued a statement saying it activated its security protocol, that students are safe and that academic activities continue normally
Discovery at Ponce school
Police in Puerto Rico responded Thursday afternoon to Colegio Mercedario San Judas Tadeo in Ponce after a magazine containing 17 9mm bullets was found inside a student's backpack, Metro Puerto Rico reported. Agents from the Ponce Oeste precinct were dispatched to the school to investigate the incident. El Nuevo Día reported that officers were alerted to the find and that the case has been referred to the Criminal Investigations Corps (CIC) in Ponce.
According to Primera Hora, the magazine was discovered in the backpack of a seventh-grade student. The CIC is investigating the origin of the ammunition. No additional details about the circumstances of the discovery were immediately released by authorities.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
ante una situación de seguridad presentada durante el día de hoy, se activó el protocolo de seguridad correspondiente, prestando especial atención al Nivel Intermedio
Our translation: Faced with a security situation that occurred today, the corresponding security protocol was activated, paying special attention to the Intermediate level.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
School response
The school sent a communication to families stating that a security situation occurred during the day, that the corresponding security protocol was activated with special attention to the intermediate level, and that preventive measures were taken. El Nuevo Día reported that the statement added that the safety and well-being of students are the priority, that students are safe, and that academic and administrative work continues normally under the institution's established security measures.
El Nuevo Día said it called the school but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Where the sources differ
All three outlets agree that a magazine with 17 9mm bullets was found in a student's backpack at a Ponce school on Thursday, that Ponce Oeste precinct agents responded, and that the CIC is handling the investigation. Metro Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día identify the school as Colegio Mercedario San Judas Tadeo while Primera Hora refers only to a school and specifies the student is in seventh grade. El Nuevo Día is the only source that reports the school's internal communication to families and its statement that classes continue normally. The other two sources do not mention the school's response.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state how the magazine was discovered inside the backpack, whether the student was arrested or questioned, the student's age beyond being a seventh grader, or if any firearm was also recovered. They also do not indicate whether classes were interrupted or if parents were asked to pick up students. Next steps after the CIC investigation are not detailed.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Encuentran cargador con 17 balas en bulto de estudiante en Ponce
- Reporting Ocupan un cargador de arma de fuego en el bulto de un estudiante en Ponce y controlan la situación
- Reporting Ocupan cargador de una pistola en bulto de alumno de escuela intermedia en Ponce
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico, El Nuevo Día and Primera Hora all reported the discovery of the loaded magazine and the police response on Thursday, Oct. 15. Details about the school's statement and continued normal operations rest solely on El Nuevo Día.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.