Ballston Spa High School student arrested for setting off firecrackers

UPDATED 6 p.m.

BALLSTON SPA -- A Ballston Spa High School senior is under arrest for setting off a pack of firecrackers into a crowd of students in the school cafeteria Thursday morning, State Police say.

The incident happened close to 7:30 a.m., and the school was able to control it, said State Police spokesperson Trooper Maureen Tuffey. No one was injured but because many students didn't expect the firecrackers many say they thought it was gunfire which is what sent them running for cover.

Seventeen-year-old Daniel Berger was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon which is a felony and misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment.  Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy says the charges if convicted carries a sentence of anywhere from probation to seven years in state prison.

Berger was arraigned in Town of Clifton Park Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. He's expected to be re-arraigned at 7 p.m Thursday night.

He was also suspended from school and a Superintendents hearing will take place to determine the full length of the suspension.  District Superintendent Joe Dragone says this stunt could affect Bergers graduation.