Massachusetts Couple Charged After Child Brings Gun to School

SWANSEA (WBSM) — Swansea Police have charged a husband and wife with multiple firearms offenses after a second-grader reportedly brought a gun to school last Wednesday.

How Police Learned About the Swansea School Gun Incident

According to Swansea Police, the department was alerted on April 6 through an anonymous tip that a second-grader may have brought a gun to Mark G. Hoyle Elementary School on April 1. An investigation began, and police said that officers and school officials “took additional precautions at the school” on the morning of April 7 while investigating the report.

Police also responded to a home on Market Street Tuesday as part of the investigation, and were able to develop probable cause to apply for a search warrant for the residence. The warrant was issued and executed Tuesday afternoon by Swansea Police and the Rehoboth Police K-9 Unit.

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Search Warrant Leads to Discovery of Multiple Firearms

According to police, the search turned up five firearms, four of which were loaded: a Ruger .22-caliber handgun, a Beretta 9mm handgun, a Ruger .45-caliber handgun, a 12-gauge Savage Stevens shotgun, and a Marlin .22-caliber rifle. Various types of ammunition were also seized.

Police said the firearms were unregistered and improperly stored, and that no one residing in the home possessed a valid Firearms Identification Card.

Charges Filed Against Swansea Couple

Charges were then filed in Fall River District Court on Wednesday, summonsing the residents of the home, Christopher Spanger, 51, and Heather Spangler, 43, for arraignment. According to social media profiles, they are married. They are charged with:

• Improper storage of a firearm near a minor (five counts)
• Possession of a firearm without an FID card (five counts)
• Possession of ammunition without an FID card
• Reckless endangerment of a child (two counts)

They will be arraigned on Wednesday, April 22, in Fall River District Court. Police also filed a report with the Department of Children and Families, and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Swansea Police Chief Emphasizes Danger of Unsafely Stored Firearms

"This situation had the potential to end in a tragedy," Swansea Police Chief Mark Foley said. "Because of the work of our Swansea Police investigators, no one was hurt and several firearms that were possessed illegally and stored unsafely are now off the street."