THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, December 9, 1995             TAG: 9512090343
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   32 lines

12-YEAR-OLD GIRL CHARGED WITH HAVING HANDGUN AT SCHOOL SHE ALLEGEDLY GOT THE WEAPON FROM A BOY, 14, WHO ALSO WAS CHARGED.

A 12-year-old eighth-grader was charged Friday with having a loaded 9 mm handgun on school property.

A 14-year-old boy, who allegedly gave the gun to the girl, also was charged.

It is a felony to take a firearm on school property.

The girl had the gun at the school because of an ongoing dispute with an ex-boyfriend, police spokesman Larry Hill said.

About 11 a.m., Northside Middle School officials received a report that a student had a gun at the school, in the 8700 block of Granby St. Security officers followed up on the tip and found the girl with the gun.

When officers recovered the weapon, five rounds of ammunition were inside. Police would not say where exactly the gun was found.

Norfolk police detectives Randy Crank and Debbie Varnell charged the girl and the boy, also an eighth-grader, with possession of a firearm on school property.

Both students were suspended indefinitely. Their names were not released.

KEYWORDS: HANDGUN SCHOOL by CNB