A loaded gun was found yesterday at Penn Hills Senior High School despite metal detectors at the school.

District spokeswoman Teresita Kolenchak said that several students were standing in the hall when a teacher approached. The students fled, leaving a gun on the floor. The teacher confiscated the gun and turned it over to administration, which turned it over to police. The students were located.

The student suspected of bringing the gun has been removed from school and the matter referred to police.

Ms. Kolenchak said it is believed the suspect arrived late for school. Standard procedure calls for students who are late to go through a metal detector and have any backpacks checked by hand.

She said Superintendent Joseph Carroll said this was a "security breach" which has been corrected.

Video of the student's entrance to the school is being reviewed.

Ms. Kolenchak said that no threats were involved.

A statement on the district's Web site noted, "All appropriate precautions are being and will continue to be taken to ensure the safety of our students and staff."