Gun reported at Raleigh middle school. Was it real or a toy?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wake County investigates report of gun at Martin Middle; item may have been a toy.
- School resource officer found no weapon; student described it as an Orbeez gun.
- District emphasizes zero tolerance for real or replica weapons on campus.
The Wake County school system is investigating whether a gun reported this week at Martin Middle School was real or a toy.
In a message sent to families Friday, the Raleigh school said a student reported Wednesday that another student had a weapon that resembled a handgun. The school resource officer searched the student and did not find a weapon.
At the end of the day on Wednesday, the school said another student reported that this student had shown them a weapon.
“It was unclear whether the item was an actual firearm or a toy,” according to the school message. “Upon further investigation by WCPSS Security and our SRO on Thursday, a student described it as a toy gun, possibly an Orbeez gun that shoots water beads.”
The water gels/beads burst on impact.
‘No threat to safety’
There was “no threat to safety” while the investigation was ongoing because the student who allegedly had the weapon wasn’t on campus Thursday or Friday, the school said.
“Possessing a weapon or a facsimile of a weapon on school property is a very serious offense,” according to the message. “Any student found with a weapon or an item resembling a weapon will be disciplined in accordance with district policies.”
Families were told that the district will continue to investigate and take every measure to ensure the safety of students.
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 2:21 PM.
