Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) The 17-year-old who officials say brought an unloaded 9 mm handgun to Buffalo Public School 197 on Wednesday faces multiple felony drug and weapons charges stemming from an unrelated arrest last month.
WBEN has confirmed Buffalo police arrested the same 17-year-old student during a large drug bust on March 18. Officers searched a property on South Domedion Street, where they say they found a cache of guns and drugs.
At the scene, officers confiscated two guns - a Polymer 80 ghost gun loaded with eight rounds and a GSG Firefly loaded with four rounds - along with 4 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 25.5 ounces of suspected cocaine, 150 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 223 grams of suspected fentanyl, and more than $10,000 in cash.
Three people were arrested, including the 17-year-old. Because he is considered a minor, police have not released his name.
He is charged with:
- Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance (first degree)
- Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance (second degree)
- Felony criminal possession of a controlled substance (third degree)
- Felony criminal possession of a weapon (third degree)
- Felony criminal possession of a firearm
- Two counts of misdemeanor criminal use of drug paraphernalia
Two other men also face charges in connection with the drug bust.
It is unclear whether the teen has been charged in connection with the gun allegedly found in his bag at Buffalo Public School 197 on Wednesday.
WBEN reached out to Buffalo police for comment.
Statement from the Buffalo Police: “We do not provide any information regarding the criminal history of minors.”
WBEN is seeking to understand how the student remained enrolled and allowed to attend school following the felony arrest last month.
The district said that information is private.
Statement from Buffalo Public Schools: “Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and NYS Education Law §2-d, the district is unable to comment further.”
