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Wednesday, April 16, 2003

By Maria Carpico, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Shaler Area School District wants to continue to provide an open environment for students even though two weapons have been brought into the high school in the past two months.

The most recent incident occurred April 8, when a former Shaler Area student, Brandon Lordeon, 17, was arrested in the school and charged with cutting a student across the forehead and eyelid.

According to police, Lordeon moved to central Bucks County to stay with relatives and had not attended a Shaler Area school this school year. He apparently took the bus to school and walked in with students.. "He blended in," said Shaler police Officer Mike Heinl.

According to Shaler Area Superintendent Donald Lee, Lordeon and a group of boys were milling around the cafeteria before classes began.

The injured student, whose family asked that his name not be released, made eye contact with Lordeon and Lordeon became annoyed, Lee said. Lordeon approached the student and asked if he had a problem. "In one swipe of the arm, it was over before it started," Lee said.

Loredon said he used a sewing needle. Witnesses said it was a razor blade. Police are awaiting results from the doctor who treated the student.

Lordeon was charged as an adult with aggravated assault and criminal trespass and is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. today.

The injured student received stitches and returned to school the next day.

Capital Asset Protection Inc., Shaler Area's onsite security personnel, monitor the school grounds but students are not required to go through metal detectors or present their identification cards upon arrival.

"There are 1,500 kids coming in from 7 to 7:30 each day," Lee said.

Lee said the district wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere for students while simultaneously keeping them safe. He described the incident as unfortunate.

"We have an open environment. There is a certain kind of honor system, where students conduct and behave themselves and we do our best to prevent these things from occurring," Lee said.

"You can't prevent these types of incidents from happening, but we have to try and be vigilant," Heinl said.

In March, a misdemeanor gun charge was dropped against teacher Anthony Sarkis after a handgun was found Feb. 24 on school property in a backpack belonging to Sarkis. Sarkis was fired, and the dismissal has gone to arbitration.