Chester County father charged after child finds gun in backpack at school

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Chester County man is facing charges after his child found a loaded gun in his backpack at school.

It happened at Hares Hill Elementary School in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Russell Matthews



Police say the student discovered the gun and immediately reported it to a school counselor.

The child's father, 58-year-old Russell Matthews, told police he put the gun in the wrong backpack.



He faces numerous charges, including endangering the welfare of a child.
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