Jania Ashlynn
Young whispers wound their way through Joseph K. Gotwals Elementary School on the morning of February 9th when one student was making his way around the school bus showing his classmates a semi-automatic handgun and bullets.
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When the weapon was discovered by the school secretary, authorities were immediately called.
It’s alleged that the boy found the gun in his mother’s bedroom dresser. The boy’s mother, Jasmine Devlin, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment.
Illicit Dealings
The weapon was obtained through what’s called a “straw purchase,” which is the illegal practice of a third party buying the firearm so the purchaser doesn’t have to go through a background check and other steps needed to own a gun.
Records show that the 30-year-old mother wasn’t the original owner of the gun. The man who initially made the straw purchase was arrested last year. He will remain behind bars throughout his trial for multiple felony charges related to the illegal sale of firearms, including the one that lead to the mother’s arrest.
Little Lifesavers
Norristown Police Chief Michael Bishop commends the young children that notified administrators when they discovered their classmate was in possession of the weapon. “These children are the true heroes in this unfortunate incident,” the chief states.
District Attorney Kevin Steele also made a statement. “This incident is a frightening reminder of the fact that children can and do find unsecured firearms in a home, and they play with them. Thankfully, these young boys were not shot or injured in their home, and no one was shot or injured at school thanks to the quick action by school personnel.”
