Three boys accused of bringing two loaded handguns and a smoke bomb to Skinner Middle School last week in their backpacks were charged Thursday with felonies.
Two of the boys, a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old who police say each brought a handgun to school, were charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds, a Class 6 felony. They also were charged with possession of a handgun by a juvenile, a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The third boy, who turned 12 Wednesday, faces a charge of explosive hoax, a Class 5 felony. An officer also found suspected cocaine and “hash” in his backpack, according to a statement of probable cause.
Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the city’s district attorney’s office, said the boys were charged as juveniles.
They remain in custody at a juvenile detention center.
The boys are accused of bringing the guns and device to school April 10. Classmates of the boys alerted administrators to the weapons.
Police said this week they do not believe the boys , although the probable-cause statement shows the student who reported the boys indicated they possibly were trying to harm a teacher.
Investigators have not released details of their inquiry into the incident, and Denver police have not speculated or said why the students, whose names have not been released, brought the weapons to school.
Police and school district officials credited school preparation and students coming forward with finding the weapons.
