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Parents question response after gun is found at Henrico middle school

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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- Parents at Wilder Middle School are still shaken after a gun was found on campus this week.

They say they still have questions about how police and school leaders in Henrico responded.

Several CBS 6 viewers questioned and compared the heavy police response at Glen Allen High School a week ago to the scene at Wilder on Monday afternoon when a gun was found in the building.

Veteran law enforcement expert Steve Neal says there is a stark difference between the two situations.

He says a week ago officers were responding to Glen Allen High based on information that a distressed student had threatened harm to someone else and himself.

The difference Neal added is that in the Wilder Middle school case the 13-year-old had not reportedly used the gun in a threatening manner.

He says officers have to deal with each incident based on the threat level at the time.

Henrico's police chief said had their team not been able to locate the Wilder teen in the building, it would have lead to heavier response.

The teen has now been arrested and charged with taking a gun on school property. He is being held at a juvenile detention center.

CBS 6 News is still awaiting word on how the boy got his hands on that gun.

The police will consult with the Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney to determine if other charges will be placed.