Two teenagers were taken into custody after school personnel discovered firearms and marijuana in backpacks that had been left on the grounds of Harry S. Truman High School during a football game in Bristol Township on Friday, Oct. 2.
According to police, the two high-school-aged teens initially tried to enter the game carrying backpacks but were stopped because the Bristol Township School District prohibits backpacks at home football games. The teens then apparently left the bags on school property and entered the stadium without them.
The unattended backpacks later drew the attention of school personnel. A search of the bags uncovered two firearms and marijuana, police said. Officers who were already at the football game responded and secured the weapons.
No shots were fired, no threats were reported and no injuries occurred.
The incident happened during Truman’s home game against Springfield Township. Truman won the game 22-20, according to local reporting.
Police said the two juveniles were identified and taken into custody. One is a Truman student, while the other attends a different high school. Authorities have not publicly identified the teens because they are juveniles.
The discovery has also prompted additional attention to security at school sporting events. The district told families that it was cooperating with law enforcement and taking the safety of students, staff and visitors seriously.
Police Chief C.J. Winik said the presence of school resource officers and security personnel played an important role in identifying the unattended backpacks. Investigators are still working to determine who owns the handgun and why it was brought onto school property. Police said there is currently no indication that the teens planned to use the firearm at the game.
The district’s no-backpack rule was designed to reduce security risks at football games, and officials said the incident showed why those precautions matter. The school district has also indicated that additional security measures, including metal detectors, will be used at future home football games.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the teens are expected to face juvenile charges, according to police.
