Handgun Found in Buffalo Student's Backpack

17-year-old taken into custody after weapon discovered at local prep school

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A 17-year-old student at Buffalo Public School No. 197, Math Science Technology Preparatory School, was taken into custody on Wednesday morning after officials said he brought a 9mm handgun to school. The weapon was discovered in the student's bag, though it was not loaded.

Why it matters

The discovery of a handgun on a high school campus raises serious concerns about student safety and security, as well as the broader issue of gun violence in schools. This incident will likely prompt further scrutiny of safety protocols and the need for stronger measures to prevent weapons from entering school grounds.

The details

According to authorities, the 9mm handgun was found in the student's bag at the Math Science Technology Preparatory School located on East Delevan Avenue in Buffalo. While the gun was not loaded, the mere presence of a firearm on school property is a significant breach of safety protocols and school policies.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday morning.

The players

Math Science Technology Preparatory School

A public high school in Buffalo, New York that serves students in grades 9-12.

Buffalo Public Schools

The school district that oversees the Math Science Technology Preparatory School and other public schools in the city of Buffalo.

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What’s next

School officials and local law enforcement will likely conduct a thorough investigation into how the student obtained the handgun and review security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of keeping weapons out of schools and ensuring the safety of students. It will likely reignite debates around gun control, school security protocols, and the broader societal issues that contribute to gun violence in educational settings.