Beckom primary school gun scare: Boy, 16, arrested after carrying rifle

A NSW primary school implemented an immediate lockdown this afternoon after a teenager was spotted near the grounds carrying a rifle. The 16-year-old was arrested at the scene.

A teenager with a rifle sparked an immediate primary school lockdown this afternoon with students holed up inside after shots were fired.

Police were called to Beckom Public School in the NSW Riverina, a primary school teaching students from kindergarten to year six, at 1.30pm this afternoon.

A young male was reported to be walking around the perimeter of the school grounds visibly carrying a large gun.

Beckom Primary School.

The reports sparked an immediate lockdown from the school as they waited for police.

NSW Police arrived on the scene and upon finding the male, arrested him.

and is currently assisting. The gun has been seized.

NSW Ambulance were aware of the incident, however the situation was controlled by police and the dispatch was cancelled.

A local who wished to remain anonymous said the 16-year-old was not a resident of the tiny rural town, however his father still lived locally.

“All I seen was all the coppers around and word that a young kid had gotten a rifle and was over by the school,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“He was having a pop by the school, there’s a big paddock right next door.

“It certainly is very remote. It’s a bit strange.”

NSW Police confirmed there had been shots fired, but could not say how many exactly.

Beckom is a tiny farming town with a population of 170.

Beckom Public School once taught 70 – 80 students, but these days there are usually only about 10 enrolled.

Investigations are underway.