Ludlow police charge two teens in playground gun incident

Chief Daniel Valadas reports today that two teenagers are facing firearms charges after an incident in a schoolyard.

On May 15, around 8:15 p.m., police received several 911 calls regarding teenagers with a gun on the Harris Brook Elementary School playground. The callers said the teens were leaving on bikes.

Although school was out, police quickly searched for the suspects. Shortly after 8:30 p.m., they found three teenagers matching the description on bicycles in War Memorial Park.

Police found an unloaded .380 caliber pistol on a 15-year-old boy. She arrested him and set his bond at $25,000.

After further investigation, Ludlow Police detectives also charged a 17-year-old man in connection with the incident.

“Our officers did an excellent job responding to this emergency and finding the suspects,” Valadas said. “Thankfully, no one fired shots or was injured. These boys are putting themselves and others in danger.”

The 15-year-old faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity firearm, improper storage of a large capacity firearm and carrying dangerous weapon on school grounds.

The 17-year-old is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds and carrying a firearm without a license.

Both teens will appear in juvenile court in Palmer County District Court.

Chief Valadas emphasizes the seriousness of the incident and wants to reassure residents that police resolved it quickly and safely.