After that were going to get colder starting tomorrow. The jet is going to phase these two systems. And a new system is going to develop along the carolina coast as we go in to saturday late in the day, early sunday. Then that storm is going to crank off the eastern seaboard sunday. First of all in the shortterm, weve got scattered gusty showers through the evening hours. Theyre going to dissipate. Downpour. The cooling trend begins tomorrow and now based on all the information weve looked at today, a wet spring snow does seem likely. Starting sunday and going in to early monday, have preliminary thoughts on accumulation amounts and timing. Thats coming up in the 7day minutes. Were going to turn to the other news of the night. That gun found at a school in queens. Police say a 15yearold was his backpack. This happening days after reporter this is the loaded. 38caliber which police say the student at the academy in jamaica brought to school today. I had had no clue my daughter is going to a school where theres an unloaded gun found. Reporter police say the gun was found in a 15yearold students backpack, charges are pending against him. Are you worried about sending your kid to school here . This is pretty good security here, but it happens. Reporter it was just two days ago that School Agents found this loaded 9 millimeter handgun in the backpack of an 11yearold student at ps40 also in jamaica. That childs 54yearold grandfather, kenneth miley, is being charged. Police say miley left the illegal weapon hidden in his couch which is where the young boy found it. Its unclear where the 15yearold got this gun. I think thats dangerous. Should really take precaution. Thats a serious thing. Whoever the parents is, they really have to take some responsibility of that. Reporter a spokeswoman for the department of education said of todays incident this is deeply alarming and we are working closely with the nypd to ensure that all students and staff are safe. The Police Department immediately responded and are investigating the troubling incident. Tomorrow morning concerned parents will rally on the steps of city hall and release what they call alarming new data about the number of weapons recovered in the citys public schools. In jamaica, queens, kristin thorne, channel 7 Eyewitness News. Tonight an witness news exclusive. The mother of a man on the run telling us tonight he was just defending his daughter. Police are looking for 48yearold julio velasquez. Burgess last night. His mom telling us he was defending his daughter who burgess had threatened and punched to the face, angry that she didnt accept his offer to swipe him in to the subway system for 1. You know theyve been cutting up girls, is slicing them in the face and the hands. New york police tonight urging velasquez to turn himself in. In manhattan today, st. Patricks day parade free of controversy for the first time in decades. An estimated 200,000 people marched up fifth avenue today. The weather today, pretty perfect for the celebration. This year mayor de blasio marched in the parade for the first time after a large group of gays were allowed to participate in the parade as well. Political reporter dave evans is along the parade route with more. As you know the st. Patricks day parade which went up 5th one of the oldest parades in the country. We think first one was way back in 1776. As you mentioned, this year a first. The first time we see an openly gay group march in the parade and this time they were invited. Reporter they are a little older now. Perhaps not the angry protesters from 25 years ago. Today gay irish new yorkers are included, welcomed on this st. Patricks day. Today marks the beginning of a new era. We cross a threshold in to this moment of inclusion and equality and its been a long, long struggle. Reporter back in 1991, gays marched with the mayor. Parade organizers vowed never again. The openly gay irish were forced to watch and sell from the sidelines. But over the last few years, so much has changed with gay rights. The parade reversed its rules mayor de blasio came back. He actually marched twice today with both police in the morning and with the lavender and Green Alliance later this afternoon. This is a day of peace and a day of reconciliation. For 25 years new yorkers have waited to see everyone come together in unity. Reporter so today included the traditional irish, the cardinal of course watched from st. Pats. But the governor marched for the first time too. And this councilman as well. Last time here he got arrested. And im so grateful to be able to finally step on to fifth avenue, not fear arrest but instead be apart of celebrating the fact that im irish and gay at the same time. Reporter today was not just about marching in any old parade. It was about being invited, welcomed, a homecoming of sorts. Were being welcomed where we should have been all along. But its been a long road. But yeah, this is coming home. For the last couple of years, pressure applied to them. For example, guinness beer threatened to pull its support. The mayor, he refused to march along with most democratic politicians. This year everything changed. Everyone was invited. For now reporting live in midtown, dave evans, channel 7 Eyewitness News. Testing now beginning for up to 17,000 students in newark, testing for lead poisoning. High levels of lead found in the Drinking Water at dozens of public schools. Now new worries about the possible harm thats been done and whether other buildings in newark also have problems with lead in their water. Parents angry and worried, huge meetings happening tonight to demand answers. Well have it for you on Eyewitness News at 11 00. Worries about lead now making news in new york city as well. U. S. Attorney here, preet baraha investigating on whether some city workers lied about contamination. Im very concerned. Reporter concerned because here in East New York at the linden houses you dont have to look far to spot this, peeling paint, that some residents say the new York City Housing Authority promised to fix two years ago. Not to mention the constant reappearance of what looks like mold. What they do is they come and they paint over the mold. And thats not solving the problem. Reporter on the heels of troubling revelations about lead contamination in flint, now we learn of a federal investigation right here in new york city. The u. S. Attorney drafting this letter to a federal judge which compels the city to release patient information, particularly information from the new york city childrens blood lead registry. The feds launching an investigation in to whether nicha has made false claims for payment. Today at the st. Patricks day parade, mayor de blasio said he just learned of the investigation at the same time we did. Yet and we dont even know if there is a specific problem yet. Reporter but he assures tenants throughout the buildings the city will be cooperating with the probe. If theres more we need to do, well do it. Obviously our priority is keeping people safe. The mayor says the city has some of the most stringent lead abatement laws in the country. Hell anxiously await the results of this investigation, but so will more than 400,000 people who live in the citys Public Housing developments. In East New York, im stacey news. As we continue with Eyewitness News at 6 00 for this thursday night, the remarkable story of a 77yearold principal and teacher. He would earn more money with his pension than his current march madness. Hows your bracket looking tonight . Well show you all the local new at 6 00, youre about to meet a remarkable man. A remarkable teacher. His name is Henry Hamilton, 77 years old and still every day goes to work where he taught and was the principal. He could have retired years ago for more money than he would make working. But then he wouldnt be working. What a guy. Reporter its the kids at Whitney Houston academy in new jersey that keep their principals toes tapping. They keep me up. Reporter 77yearold Henry Hamilton has been an educator for nearly 57 years. 47 of them spent right here molding minds in prek through 8th. Theres not enough time in the day for what i need to do for my youngsters. A lot of young minds. Reporter 15 years ago, he was eligible for retirement, but chose to keep working even after he was offered a buyout. I think the man above will let me go when its time to leave. Reporter his former students include the late Whitney Houston and many other success stories. Hamilton says each one is as important as the next. I let them know that theyre valuable. I let them know that theyre intelligent. He makes Houston Academy what Houston Academy is. Reporter but he says its the kids that give him meaning. Yes, i did. I love it. Yes, i love it. And im proud to say that. Reporter mr. Hamilton has been walking these hallways for so long, he knows every inch of them. While its true he could have retired years ago and would probably be taking home more money today, he says its seeing the difference hes making in the lives of the children here that is the real reward. In east orange, new jersey, channel 7 Eyewitness News. Quite a gite. Hes got a ton of energy. A look back at an electric moment. You saw it here last night. Lightning on our newscast yesterday. Speaking of lightning and rain, weve got more on the way and some possible snow for this in new york state, all across the state, the economy is growing, with creative new business incentives, the lowest taxes in decades, and new infrastructure for a new generation attracting the talent and companies of tomorrow. Like in rochester, with worldclass botox. And in buffalo, where medicine meets the future. Let us help grow your companys tomorrow today at business. Ny. Gov got some fascinating insight today about the housing crisis in new york city. Eyewitness news hosting a lively discussion about how to level the housing Playing Field in the countrys biggest city. Affordable housing, rewrite the rent regulation rules and focus on getting people jobs, getting the homeless back in homes of their own. 600,000 new yorkers paying 50 of their income for housing. Way too much. Thats a lot of money. We know you have a very busy night. Youve been tracking a lot of stuff. Storms tonight. Storms this weekend. There arent that many downpours today but the ones that have been around, some lightning and now on long island, very heavy downpours. Last night at this time we were seeing widespread lightning across the area. We were about to wrap up the night. Then the incredible strike. Its like a return stroke there too. Just unbelievable. Of course we shared that on social media with you. We have more lightning around tonight. This is a look off to the east. There are storms over long island right now. But im going to switch this camera and look back over new york harbor where we have the sunshine coming out. Some rainbows across the area this evening. Wind is looking gusty. Harbor right now and the ferries. Were at 51. Northwest wind is gusting to 30. Thats one thing about the storms today. Maybe not as widespread but theyre kicking up the winds. Comfortable st. Patricks day high at 63. Weather really held for the parade. Record 75 back in 1945. We dropped down to the 40s. Above 60 on the island right now as the showers begin to move in. 45mileperhour gust at jfk. 30mileperhour gust at laguardia and a little bit of lightning over parts of upper manhattan and the queens. 21mileperhour wind in white plains. So the winds are still gusty in to early evening. Showers are going to wind down quickly then partly cloudy to mostly clear. It is windy again tomorrow. Same script. Sun mixes with clouds, afternoon shower. I dont think were looking at much thunder tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, theres the gusty now youve got a downpour near plainview. The one thats affecting the commute along the l. I. E. Is right there south, headed to deerpark so there are gusty winds with that and a brief heavy downpour. Off to the west there are a couple scattered showers. May have to have the umbrella briefly this evening but it will be isolated. This is essentially the leading edge of a huge cold air mass carved out over hudson bay. This drops in to the northeast tomorrow night. Its a stage where we have tomorrow only in the 50s. Then only in the 40s by the time we get to saturday. Widely scattered showers through early evening hours. 40s tomorrow morning and then 50s during the day with a gusty wind. Feels like 40s. Maybe just a widely scattered shower in the afternoon, could even be a Higher Elevation snow shower. Gives you an idea of the chill thats coming in friday night in to saturday. We fast forward to saturday where were sunny but off to the south, storms brewing in the gulf of mexico. Jet stream picking it up and strengthening it along the carolina coast. Close call with the new york city half marathon. I think theres wet snowflakes or raindrops in the air. Then the question is what about the storm track, which im still favoring a storm track thats closer. Its a little too early, got uncertainty in the storm track for an official band map. Maybe at 11 00 tonight. Im feeling the most likely accumulation range is a 3 to 6inch storm. Well watch that closely for you. Evening shower, thunderstorm, partial clearing. 44 tonight. 56 tomorrow. Its definitely windy and cooler. Gusts over 30, 35. Might be a passing shower in the afternoon. Down to freezing. Diminishing wind. Theres your weekend. Saturday is fine. Last full day of winter is cool but sunny and there you go on sunday. Rain and wet snow going to all snow. 37. Likely accumulating even on the roads and monday morning looks messy. I love the overunder you had. Should we do a Facebook Live i think 9 00 would be a great time. You available . Laura behnke in for rob ellis next in sports. How are you all feeling about those brackets so far . The moment of truth has now arrived. March madness has begun in full force. Iona trying to pull off the upset but we know thats always easier said than done. Plus the mets have spoken. Champs have selected i hope we have a buyer for the house. Me too what are the neighbors doing here . Bill hey come in, come in i didnt know your home wifi could stream so many devices at the same time. Dad, its time warner cable. 300 megs. Crazyfast. And we were right across the street the whole time. Make your home as connected as possible with time warner cable. With speeds up to ultrafast 300 megs. Get 50 meg internet for 39. 99 per month. Call now. Would anybody like to see the kitchen . Anybody . Dad you can get wifi all over this place. Cool switching is easy. I know, right . you get a onehour arrival window, no contract to sign, and a moneyback guarantee. Do you want to take a look pizzarolls are done take a look at the kitchen. Get 50 meg internet with unlimited data for 39. 99 per month. Call now. Ask about free installation and access to nearly 500,000 wifi hotspots with select plans. Everyone is suddenly asking me, hows your bracket . How is your bracket . Pretty good, how is yours . [ laughter ] heres hoping you were able to get most of your work done earlier this week because as of officially down because its all about basketball all the time with the first round of the ncaa tournament finally here. Iona trying to upset iowa state in denver. The takeaway on the break. Back to nader who finishes the alleyoop. Aj english led the way with 28 points in his final college game. Iona could never quite close the gap. Monte morris, the steal. And the finish. 9481. The gaels season ends in round 1. Elsewhere in the midwest, 9 seed butler, 10point winner over virginia. In the south region, surging uconn against colorado in an 89 matchup today. Uconn trailed by 9 at the half. Totally different story in the second. Part of a 144 huskies run. Uconn not letting up. Hamilton off the steal. Slamming it home. He had 17 points while rodney end to end for the layup and the whistle. 7467. Uconn rolls. Kevin ollie now 70 as head coach in the tournament. Top seed kansas having its way with austin peay late in the 2nd half. Buke take duke taking care of unc wilmington. Day one is far from over. 13 seed stony brook making its ncaa debut against 4 seed kentucky. Seton hall facing gonzaga. Barclay center, its one of the sites for the first and second rounds. Those games tomorrow and sunday. 2 seed villanova is your headline. Michigan and notre dame in the east. In baseball the mets have officially passed the Halfway Point of Grapefruit League play regular season than the offseason. The Team Announced matt harvey will be the opening day starter when the amazings kick off their season just over two weeks for sunday night baseball. Quite an honor for the ace. I definitely feel a year after surgery, im definitely 100 and happy about the honor and definitely ready for the battle. As for the preseason, mets and marlins today. Jacob degrom making this start. He passed three scoreless innings, striking out three. Allowed one hit. Solid day. His catcher, travis darnaud, 2 run scoring double here. Not to be out done, Curtis Granderson also active. Going 23 in the leadoff spot. 65 is your final as the mets win. And the yankees visiting the pirates today. Masahiro tanaka had had the one strikeout here on a bit of a shaky day. Tanaka went two innings. Andrew mccutchen going long for the solo home run. Allowed two runs total. Offense picked him up. The tworun jack in the 4th. That put the pinstripes on top. 72 the yankees win. Also the jets Darrelle Revis had wrist surgery today. Expected to be ready by camp. Tonight ill ask you how your brackets doing. Well play the dance again. What are we working on tonight for Eyewitness News at 11 00 . Sade is here with some answers. Angry parents voicing their concerns about high levels of lead in newark schools. Parents are planning to meet tonight. A pep rally doesnt go as planned when a man catches on fire. Plus, a woman caught on camera shoplifting but wait till you hear who police say this is. Well have those stories and more tonight on Eyewitness News at 11 00. Thats it for us for now. Thanks for watching. Im bill ritter. Im liz cho. World news tonight with david muir