Two Swansea residents face multiple firearms and child endangerment charges following a police investigation prompted by an incident last week at Hoyle Elementary where a second-grader reportedly brought a gun to school.
The Hoyle incident, during which the student showed a handgun to at least two other students, happened last Wednesday, April 1, according to the Swansea Police Department, but police only became aware of the report late Monday night, April 6, through an anonymous tip.
An investigation was immediately launched in coordination with Swansea Public Schools, which led officers to a Market Street residence on Tuesday, April 7.
Having developed probable cause, police report a search warrant was obtained and executed Tuesday afternoon at the Market Street home. Officers discovered five firearms, four of which were loaded, along with various types of ammunition.
The firearms, which were unregistered and improperly stored, were seized by police. They included a Ruger .22-caliber handgun, a Beretta 9mm handgun, a Ruger .45-caliber handgun, a 12-gauge Savage Stevens shotgun, and a Marlin .22-caliber rifle.
According to Swansea police, no one residing in the home possesses a valid Firearms Identification Card.
Two Market Street residents — 51-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman — have been summonsed for an arraignment in Fall River District Court on Wednesday, April 22, on the following charges:
improper storage of a firearm near a minor (five counts)
possession of a firearm without an Firearms Identification Card (five counts)
possession of ammunition without an FID card
reckless endangerment of a child (two counts)
Amid the investigation, “additional precautions” were taken at the 70 Community Lane school on Tuesday morning, which included an increased police presence.
No weapons or ammunition were found during a search of the Hoyle school building Tuesday evening by police K-9 unit specially trained in firearms and ammunition detection.
Swansea police said they don’t believe there is any active threat to the school community. The investigation remains ongoing.
Swansea Police, in adherence with department policy, have filed a report on the matter with the Department of Children and Families.
Police Chief Mark Foley commended Swansea officers for their diligent police work.
“This situation had the potential to end in a tragedy,” said Police Chief Mark Foley in a press release Wednesday. “Because of the work of our Swansea Police investigators, no one was hurt and several firearms that were possessed illegally and stored unsafely are now off the street.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Report of gun at Hoyle school leads to charges for 2 Swansea residents
