Student brings gun into Philadelphia's George Washington High School; weapon later stolen

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police say a gun is now missing after a student snuck the weapon into George Washington High School in Somerton on Tuesday.

Parents were informed of the incident on Wednesday, which is raising questions about the school's security protocols.

Though the school has security checks at the front door, a letter detailing the events from the school's principal says that the student hid the gun outside near another door. The student then walked through security and went back to retrieve the gun with the help of a lookout.

The district says after school, the gun was stolen from the student by another child while they rode a SEPTA bus. The gun has not been recovered.

"Another student was also in the bus, took the firearm and fled the bus," said Schools Safety Interim Chief Craig Johnson.

A witness told their parent what happened and that person's mother made a call to the administration on Wednesday morning, which resulted in a lockdown as administrators checked the students involved and their lockers.

No weapon was found.

It comes as the number of guns found in Philadelphia schools is rising.

"This school year we've recovered 11 firearms so far. Last year we recovered 18 firearms throughout the school year," said Johnson.

No one has been charged, but the investigation is ongoing.

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