BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — A Beaver Falls High School student is facing charges after he allegedly threatened to shoot up the school last week, police said.
The district’s superintendent credits classmates and the high school’s resource officer with stopping 18-year-old Zachary McKelvey.%
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Police paperwork shows McKelvey later told an officer that he was just joking and then admitted to having a bow and arrow and airsoft gun in his car. According to the complaint, students reported it to the school resource officer.
"As a parent, I had no clue about it. I wasn't even notified of it until today," said Melissa Fosnaught, a neighbor.
McKelvey told the officer he was joking, but investigators took the claim seriously. They obtained a search warrant and looked in his car, finding two bows, an arrow and a broken air soft gun.
Big Beaver Falls superintendent Dr. Donna Nugent said McKelvey did not have weapons on him inside the school and there was no immediate risk to students or staff.
Nugent added this in a statement:
"Our students are always told that if they see or hear something they should immediately inform a staff member. That is exactly what happened with school staff was informed. Our personel followed their training protocols."
McKelvey is charged with making terroristic threats and having a weapon on school property, both are misdemeanors.
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