Police Officer Identified As Person With Gun On Commack School Grounds

Following a staff member’s complaint of a suspicious person on school property on Tuesday, the Commack Union Free School District was placed under lockdown.

The school district claims that at around noon, a staff member at Sawmill Intermediate School observed a person with what seemed to be a gun tucked into the back of his pants. The individual was kept close to a side parking lot before entering his vehicle and leaving.

Authorities identified the individual as a police officer attending the school for his child after conducting an investigation.

The lockout was already in effect when the school learned who the offender was. As classes were dismissed, Suffolk County police and school security were also present.

The lockout was announced to parents by school administrators. In his letter to parents, the school superintendent said, “Suffolk County police are actively investigating and responding accordingly. I will provide an addition update as soon as I have more information. Most importantly, the children are safe in the buildings.”

Still, many parents hurried to the school to take up their kids out of concern.

“It’s a rough day – it’s sad we’re in this current situation going on,” says parent Danielle Finocchiaro. “This is unfortunately the norm; we’re all trying to get through it.”

Although the district’s schools were dismissed on time, extracurricular activities were postponed.