In the incident at Elida Elementary, teenagers probably had air rifles

Sept. 18—ELIDA — A group of teenagers who appeared to be waving handguns in the parking lot of Elida Elementary School earlier this month were likely carrying pellet guns, according to the American Township police chief.

Police Chief Mike Haines described the incident, which occurred on September 5 at approximately 8:15 p.m., as follows: “A group of friends picked the worst possible place to play with their guns.”

Haines said there were no reports that the teens threatened or attacked anyone on the property.

School officials contacted authorities last Tuesday when they learned of the incident, which was captured by the school's surveillance cameras, according to a letter to parents from Superintendent Joel Mengerink posted on Facebook the following day.

Police and school administration concluded that the teenagers posed no threat to students or staff at the elementary school, as the school was closed at the time of the incident.

Ohio law prohibits the possession of real or fake firearms on school property, with the exception of police officers, certain school employees, and concealed carry permit holders who leave their firearm in a locked vehicle.

In his letter to parents, Mengerink said that “the possession of weapons on school property will not be tolerated,” and noted that the district has expelled and disciplined several students believed to be involved in the incident.

American Township police charged 18-year-old Damon Alexander with illegal transportation of a deadly weapon or dangerous ammunition or an article indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone, a first-degree misdemeanor.

As of Wednesday morning, similar charges are pending against two other adults and two juveniles.

Alexander pleaded not guilty in Lima Municipal Court and posted bail on Friday. His first pre-trial hearing is scheduled for October 15.

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