Pre-K students find loaded gun

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A loaded 9mm gun was found on the grounds of Star of the Sea Catholic School in Virginia Beach Tuesday morning.

Around 10:30 a.m., some Pre-K children were playing in the recess area around the playground swings when they noticed what they thought might be a gun lying by the fence in some tire mulch. 

The children told a teacher, who went over and confirmed it was a gun and immediately called police.

None of the children or the teacher touched the weapon, according to police spokesman MPO Jimmy Barnes.

Barnes told WAVY.com police are investigating an attempted burglary at the GOlden Sands Hotel. He said it is possible the suspects may have thrown a gun into the playground during a foot chase. The suspects remain on the lam.

The school principal, Dr. C. Whisman, sent home a letter to parents informing them of the incident. In the letter, she stated that the school requested a police officer remain at the school the entire school day to monitor the school grounds.

A student's parent, who is a Norfolk police officer, volunteered to to teach the Pre-K children gun safety earlier this school year.

"We are very proud of our Pre-K students. They ran from it and knew to report it immediately and not to touch it," said Dr. Whisman.

Police are now running tests on the weapon to determine who the gun belonged to.