A 20-year-old East Boston High School student was arrested on a gun possession charge on Thursday morning after a foot chase near the school, authorities said.
Boston police said the student, identified as Keon Harris of Boston, was approached by a Boston school police officer at the school and acted suspiciously, then took off on foot on White Street. After a brief chase, police arrested him and found a discarded gun nearby, officials said.
The school was not placed into lockdown because the incident occurred off school property, according to a statement from Boston School Department.
“East Boston High School will increase the use of metal detection technology immediately, and utilize staff and School Police to provide a visible presence in and around the school,” the statement said.
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Boston police said the man will be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and faces arraignment in East Boston District Court.
The incident remains under investigation.
Laney Ruckstuhl can be reached at laney.ruckstuhl@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @laneyruckstuhl.
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