Scranton police on Wednesday charged a 16-year-old who was detained outside Scranton High School carrying a fully loaded AR-15-style .22 caliber rifle.
Sihayr Dickerson, charged as an adult, is facing felony firearm counts, among other charges. Police stopped and questioned Dickerson, of 83 Charles St., Wilkes-Barre, outside the school after getting a tip from someone who had an earlier interaction with Dickerson near the Martz Bus Terminal.
Authorities said Dickerson changed his story several times when confronted on Providence Avenue near the school, including giving a false name. When questioned why he was near the school, Dickerson again gave conflicting answers, and at one point, police said it became apparent he was carrying a weapon.
Scranton School District officials requested additional law enforcement presence at schools and in-person classes were canceled Thursday.
The incident played out before noon, Scranton police Capt. Dennis Lukasewicz said.In a statement shared on social media, the district said an individual carrying a weapon was observed walking in the direction of the school and immediately detained
The person was not on school property when taken into custody, acting Superintendent Patrick Laffey said in an email, crediting the quick response of city police and district school security officers.
“Our utmost priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” the district said. “In accordance with District Emergency Procedures, all district schools were placed in a SECURE status to ensure the security of everyone on the premises.”
There is no ongoing threat, but the district has requested increased police presence at its schools out of an abundance of caution. District officials also implemented a flexible instruction day, where students learn online, for Thursday as a precaution.
“We will provide more information as it becomes available and is deemed appropriate to share,” the district said. “In the meantime, we want to emphasize our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.”
District officials are fully cooperating with local and state police in the investigation, the statement notes. Dismissal and after-school activities were to continue as scheduled, Laffey said.
Scranton police said in a Facebook post that they have increased their presence in the area of Scranton schools.
“At this time there is no information to suggest any additional danger to Scranton schools or the community,” the Police Department said.
It also asked residents not to spread information that doesn’t come from city police, state police or the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office.
Dickerson is being held at the Lackawanna County Prison without bail.
Source: Berkshire mont
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