JHS Weapons Incident Update & Senate Bill 246 Safety Notification

We are writing to our community to provide you with further information regarding a weapons incident that occurred early this morning at Exeter Township Junior High School. This incident is currently under investigation by the Exeter Township Police Department, and a statement from the ETPD is below. 

We are grateful to Exeter Township Police Department and the Central Berks Police Department for their quick and immediate response to this situation. We are also grateful to the people who provided the tip to Central Berks. We remind you and your children to report any safety incident to school administration, a teacher or staff member, or use Safe2Say, which is an anonymous tipline.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  November 4, 2026

 Media Contact: Lt. Sean Fullerton, Exeter Township Police Department

 Nature of Incident: Juvenile Taken Into Custody Following Threat Investigation

 Location: Exeter Township Junior High School

 

On the morning of November 4, 2026, the Central Berks Regional Police Department (CBRPD) was made aware of an online threat directed toward two juveniles, one residing within the Central Berks Regional Police jurisdiction and the other in Exeter Township.

 

The threat was accompanied by a video depicting a juvenile suspect in possession of and manipulating a handgun, later identified as a Ruger-57.

 

CBRPD immediately notified the Exeter Township Police Department (ETPD), and officers from both agencies responded to Exeter Junior High School to investigate.

 

During the investigation, officers determined that the juvenile suspect had brought the handgun into the school and placed it in a hallway trash can prior to police arrival. Officers located and recovered the loaded handgun shortly after arriving at the school. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody without incident and remains in police custody at the time of this release.

Preliminary information indicates that the juvenile may have obtained the firearm while visiting the residence of a family friend. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding how the juvenile gained access to the weapon.

 

Officers from both departments worked closely with Exeter Township School District officials to address the threat, secure the firearm, and ensure the safety of students and staff. At this time, investigators have identified no additional threats to the school community.

 

The Exeter Township Police Department recognizes the serious nature of this incident and understands the concerns it may raise among parents, students, and school staff. The immediate communication and coordinated response between law enforcement agencies and school officials were instrumental in bringing this incident to a safe resolution.