On Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 3:55pm, a call was received at the Wellesley Police Department’s Emergency Communication Center reporting a firearm had been found in the Hunnewell Field area near Rice Street in Wellesley.

Wellesley Police Officers responded to Hunnewell Field and met with the caller, who is a Wellesley resident. The resident reported to the police that while out walking a dog on a path through the field, the dog noticed and located a bag in a grassy area. The resident opened the bag and immediately noticed what appeared to be a firearm and ammunition inside. The resident then notified the Wellesley Police Department.

The path is known as the ‘Crosstown Trail’ and runs across the field from State Street to Rice Street. Hunnewell Field is a popular area for outdoor recreation in Wellesley.

Wellesley Police Officers recovered and began processing the items found in the bag for evidence. Preliminarily, it does appear the item found is a firearm. An extensive search of the field area was conducted by the Wellesley Police Department following this discovery. Additionally, a K9 unit from the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, trained in firearm/ballistic detection and recovery, also searched the field area. Nothing further was located.

The Wellesley Police Department is actively working with other agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) to determine the history of the firearm recovered. It does not appear to be registered in Massachusetts.

The Wellesley Public Schools Administration was immediately notified of the incident following the recovery of the firearm. This notification was made due to the proximity of the Hunnewell Field to the Wellesley High School. This was done primarily out of an abundance of caution. The preliminary investigation indicates that the firearm is not related in any way to the school community.

Wellesley Police Officers, including our School Resource Officers, will be a visible presence at the Wellesley High School throughout the day for the remainder of the week to talk with students and faculty. This will be done to reassure the community that the Wellesley Public Schools are a safe environment for education.

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is being released at this time.

Wellesley Public Schools Superintendent David Lussier followed with this memo on Thursday AM:

Dear Members of the Wellesley Public Schools Community,

Per the attached statement from the Wellesley Police Department, yesterday afternoon a small bag containing a firearm and ammunition were found in a grassy area adjacent to the aqueduct by the Hunnewell Fields. Given the proximity of this location to Wellesley High School, the Police notified the School Department immediately. We have no reason to believe that this weapon has any connection to our schools. Regardless, the Wellesley Police Department will remain a visible presence today and tomorrow at Wellesley High School and we will continue to remain in close contact regarding this situation.