PORTSMOUTH — A 16-year-old girl was charged with possession of an illegal weapon after she brought a stun gun to Portsmouth High School on Thursday, March 8, according to police.

On that date at about 10 a.m., school administrators were informed that the student was seen in possession of the weapon inside the school, Detective Lt. Michael C. Arnold stated in a press release Friday morning.

“Upon investigation a stun gun was found in the juvenile’s possession. Based on the circumstances School Resource Officer Maddie Pirri took the juvenile into custody. The juvenile was charged with weapons other than firearms prohibited,” he stated.

Later that day, PHS administrators sent out an e-mail to inform parents of the incident. While the e-mail refers to the weapon as a taser, Lt. Arnold said it was actually a stun gun.

“A taser shoots a projectile that is attached by a wire that sends electric current to the body,” he stated in a followup e-mail.

A stun gun uses no projectile, he said, and needs to make direct contact with a person.

The school’s e-mail reads in full:

“It was reported to administration today that a student might have brought a taser (electric shock device) to school. Within a few minutes of the report, the administration confiscated the device and notified Portsmouth Police.

“The investigation resulted in no evidence of intended harm to anyone in the school. Although, no one was threatened or harmed the administration will continue to encourage students and staff to be vigilant.

“We appreciate the information being brought to the attention of the administration so quickly. It is in working together that we can continue to keep our school safe.”