Gun Found on Grounds of Long Island Middle School: Officials

Authorities are investigating after a handgun was found on the grounds of a Long Island middle school Monday morning.

Contractors repairing a fence at Edmund Miles Middle School in North Amityville found the gun around 10:30 a.m. and contacted school officials and security personnel, who notified police.

The worker who first spotted the gun, Francisco Borreli, said students were playing nearby at the time.

"It was scary, you know. I was worried," he said. "I have nephews the same age and kids see that, they don't know what's going on."

Police confiscated the weapon, which they said was not loaded, and determined there was no threat to students and staff. No lockdown was initiated.

"To hear that it was behind the school, it really alarms me because my son plays football there," said one mother.

The school issued a statement commending the workers for promptly reporting the discovery and said it was "continuously evaluating security to provide a safe school environment."