ITHACA, N.Y.—Ithaca Police are praising a local child for his actions Monday, when they found and reported a loaded handgun in a ditch in the City of Ithaca.
According to a press release, the 12 year old boy was playing near the 500 block of Spencer Road around 1 p.m. when he saw the handgun in a ditch. He did not touch the weapon, but reported it to a parent, who called police.
The gun was a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, police said. The serial numbers were scratched off and it “is presumed to be stolen.” Police are trying to see if the gun has any connection to recent crimes or shootings in the City of Ithaca.
“The actions taken by this 12 year old were an example of a textbook way to handle finding a dangerous item, such as a weapon,” police wrote. “His actions likely prevented further injury to someone by getting this weapon off the street. The Ithaca Police Department would like to recognize the outstanding job of this 12 year old and his mother.”