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Bullet Fragment Found On Sidewalk Outside Chelmsford Elementary School

CHELMSFORD (CBS) -- The piece of a bullet found outside of Byam Elementary School in Chelmsford Wednesday was from a student's keychain, police said.

"I am writing to inform you that before school this morning, during our custodian's morning round, he found what appeared to be a part of a bullet in the crack of our front sidewalk outside the building," Principal Jason Fredette wrote in an email to parents earlier Wednesday, prior to the investigation.

The bullet was a thin and pointy .308 round, something that would be used in a hunting rifle, Chelmsford Police said. There was no casing on it and it would not have been able to be fired in the condition it was found.

Ballistics examiners also determined the bullet had never been fired from a weapon.

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Chelmsford police say the bullet found outside of Byam Elementary School fell of this keychain (Photo Courtesy: Chelmsford Police)

Fredette continued, "although we are confident that no students or staff members are at risk as a result of this discovery, we feel it important to advise you of the incident."

Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney echoed that sentiment and said the department was looking into how the bullet got there to begin with.

The school was swept and there is no evidence of any ballistics damages inside or out, he added.

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Byam Elementary School in Chelmsford (WBZ-TV)

Upon investigation, a student came forward and said he "owned a keychain with a bullet attached, but that the top/slug portion was missing. Officers were able to match the item found on the sidewalk to the keychain," police said.

The appropriateness of the keychain was discussed with the student but no charges will be filed.

School operations continued as normal throughout the day and the superintendent, police chief, and principal were in constant contact.

 

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