Fall River Police Arrest Juvenile With Gun Near School Grounds

UPDATE: Fall River Police previously reported that the juvenile males were observed on the grounds of Resiliency Preparatory Academy. Police issued a corrected release stating it was across the street from the school after this article had originally been published.

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — Fall River Police arrested a juvenile with a firearm on the grounds of a school this morning.

According to police, officers assigned to the Special Operations Division were conducting “proactive patrols” around Resiliency Preparatory Academy today, “based on information received that outside agitators had recently been observed on the school grounds.”

Police said that at about 10:55 a.m., School Resource Officers observed multiple juveniles known to them across the street from school grounds, and were aware that at least one of them was not currently enrolled as a student at the school. They approached the juveniles and began talking to them.

During the conversation, police said it became apparent one of them, a 17-year-old, was “behaving inconsistently with previous interactions.”

The juvenile was frisked and police said a loaded Cobra .380 firearm was found in his possession.

He then allegedly began to fight with the police to avoid being placed under arrest. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle, police said, and two officers sustained minor injuries as a result.

The 17-year-old is charged with carrying a loaded firearm in public without an LTC, possession of a firearm without an LTC, possession of ammunition without an FID card and resisting arrest.

“Today’s arrest highlights the department’s commitment to maintaining safe neighborhoods throughout our community,” Police Chief Paul Gauvin said. “I commend the men and women of the Special Operations Division for being proactive in their approach and trusting their instincts as investigators.”