North Reading Police Investigating Incident Involving Dangerous Weapon Found In Parking Lot Outside Annual Town Meeting

NORTH READING — Chief Mark Zimmerman and Superintendent Dr. Patrick Daly report that the North Reading Police Department is investigating an incident involving a dangerous weapon that was located outside the annual Town Meeting last night. 

On Monday, June 1, at approximately 6:30 p.m., North Reading Police, assigned to the detail at North Reading High School for the Annual Town Meeting, were alerted by a faculty member that an unlocked vehicle in the parking lot of the school had a weapon in plain sight. 

A preliminary investigation determined that the weapon was not a firearm and that it was actually a Byrna CL Launcher, a less-lethal device, which does not require a permit or background check to purchase due to it not being classified as a firearm. North Reading Police seized the launcher and recovered multiple magazines and projectiles.  

Upon further investigation, North Reading Police identified the owner of the vehicle, a man from Middleton. The individual and his vehicle were searched, and no firearms were located and the individual immediately left the area. The individual was holding signs for a political candidate outside of the town meeting and never entered the building. 

At no point was the weapon inside the school before, during, or after the meeting. 

North Reading Police want to reassure the community that there was no threat or danger to the public last night. 

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and charges may be filed pending the result of the investigation. 

“I want to thank the school community for reporting this and recognize our detail officer and the officers who responded to the scene, who were able to quickly get the situation under control,” said Chief Zimmerman. “The safety of our residents is our top priority.”

“I would like to thank our staff member for identifying what could have easily been a dangerous weapon and for promptly reporting this to the administration and the police,” said Superintendent Daly. “We encourage our community to always report anything that may seem suspicious or out of the ordinary, and this was a great example of how we work collaboratively with our police department to maintain the safety of all residents and community members.”

###