Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Eight-year-olds Barrett Nettleman (left) and Ben Mariani found more than they bargained for while playing in a creek easement behind Redwood Middle School. Boys find gun and ammo behind school By Michelle Alaimo Playing army became a little too realistic for Barrett Nettleman and Ben Mariani on Oct. 18. The two 8-year-olds found a stolen shotgun, ammunition and a hunting knife in a backpack buried beneath a bush while playing in the Saratoga Creek easement behind Redwood Middle School. Rose Mariani, Ben's mother, said the boys came tearing into her house late that afternoon and told her they had found a gun. At first, she said, she didn't believe them. She and her older son, Chris, went to confirm the story. Chris checked the gun to make sure it wasn't loaded and that it was indeed real. Then they all went back to the Mariani home and called 911. "I'm so proud of [the boys] for not picking the gun up and playing with it," Rose said. Barrett's mother, Kim, said the two boys are really into playing army and playing with toy guns. She said she is thrilled that they knew the difference between a real and fake gun, and that they knew not to touch the gun. The mothers also said they were extremely impressed with Santa Clara County Sheriff's Deputy Deborah Johnson, who responded to the incident. "The deputy went over how proud she was that they didn't play with the gun," Rose said. "She knew they were so intrigued with guns and took the opportunity to show them safety tips." She even let the boys ride in her patrol car and told them how the investigation would proceed. "The deputy was so nice to them," Rose said. "She really went out of her way." Johnson came back later in the evening to let Ben know that the gun was stolen from one of their neighbor's trucks on Shadow Oaks Way six months earlier. Rose said the owners of the gun are relieved that the gun was found. Redwood Middle School Principal Christopher Farmer said the boys did the right thing. He also expressed concern about the the gun and knife being buried near the school. "It's obviously worrying that someone could bring weapons so close to a school site without anyone knowing about it," Farmer said. The gun, knife and shells were booked as found property. The boys' mothers said the two have not stopped talking about their find since it happened. Ben even got a reward from his mom. She made his most "special, special dessert"--marinated strawberries over ice cream. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, October 28, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.