Police chief: Teens likely possessed BB guns in Elida Elementary incident

ELIDA — A group of teenagers brandishing what appeared to be handguns in the Elida Elementary School parking lot earlier this month were likely holding BB guns, according to the American Township police chief.

Chief Mike Haines described the incident, which occurred around 8:15 p.m. Sept. 5, as “a group of friends who picked the worst possible spot to play with their guns.”

Haines said there are no reports of the teens threatening or assaulting anyone on the property.

Administrators contacted authorities last Tuesday when they learned of the incident, which was captured by school security cameras, according to a letter to parents from Superintendent Joel Mengerink published on Facebook the following day.

Law enforcement and school officials determined the teens did not pose a threat to students or staff at the elementary school, which was closed at the time of the incident.

Ohio law prohibits possession of firearms — real or fake — on school property, with exceptions for law enforcement, designated school employees and concealed permit holders who leave their handgun in a locked vehicle.

In his letter to parents, Mengerink said “possession of weapons will not be tolerated on school property,” noting that the district had removed and disciplined multiple students believed to be involved in the incident.

American Township Police charged Damon Alexander, 18, with one count of illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance or of an object indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Similar charges are pending against two more adults and two juveniles as of Wednesday morning.

Alexander pleaded not guilty in Lima Municipal Court and posted bond Friday. His first pre-trial hearing will be held Oct. 15.