BETHLEHEM, Pa. - City police and the school district plan to ramp up security at high school football games following an incident involving a gun at a football game. Officials say a loaded handgun was seized from a teen at Friday night's Liberty-Easton game at BASD Stadium.
The Bethlehem Area School District disclosed the incident in a message distributed Saturday.
- Police recovered the loaded gun and arrested a 17-year-old, officials said
- The teen was not a Bethlehem Area student, according to the district
- No threats were made regarding the weapon, the district said
The teen's identity was not released, but officials said he was not a current student. He was arrested without incident, according to the message.
Bethlehem police working at the stadium said they observed the teen about 8:20 p.m. and confirmed he was a reported runaway. As police approached him, he became uncooperative and tried to run, police said.
They discovered the handgun in the waistband of his pants, according to police.
"Due to this disturbing incident, the district and local police will be ramping up security at future games," the district's message said.
It came as Liberty High's football team hosted Easton Area High School at the stadium.
Several high school games in the Philadelphia area and the suburbs have been postponed because of threats of violence.
Last month, an ambush shooting outside Roxborough High School in Philadelphia killed a 14-year-old and wounded four other teens after a football scrimmage.
Police said the 17-year-old is being detained at the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center. He is charged with possession of a weapon on school property; person not to possess firearms; carrying a firearm without a license; and resisting arrest.
