A South Seneca Junior/Senior High School employee was arrested Tuesday for criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds after a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition were discovered on the campus.
Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Thompson announced the arrest of 62-year-old Everett J. Babcock of Ovid, following an investigation that began around 4 p.m. on October 1. The school’s Resource Officer was alerted to the possibility of a weapon on the premises, prompting a swift response from authorities. The firearm was found unsecured in the maintenance building.
Officials confirmed that the incident was isolated and posed no immediate threat to students or staff. “Safety and security has always been, and will always be, a primary concern for the district,” said South Seneca Superintendent Zielinski. “In 2024, no one should have any confusion about bringing firearms of any kind into a school district. We will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”
Babcock has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, a class E felony. He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Ovid Town Court on October 15 to respond to the charge.
The investigation is ongoing, and the district has expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office in ensuring the safety of the school community.
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