Michigan fifth grader with gun at school also had list of names
| Kingsley, Mich.
Authorities say a fifth-grade boy found with a loaded pistol at a middle school in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula had created a list of classmates' names.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle and MLive.com report that the title of the list, found on the back of a homework assignment belonging to the boy, suggested he wanted to harm those on the list. The boy, however, told authorities he didn't intend to harm anyone.
Kingsley Area Schools Superintendent Keith Smith said the list, which school officials turned over to police, was hard to make sense of. Smith declined to elaborate on details of the list.
"It’s obviously not consistent with what was brought to school," Smith said. "A gun with one bullet doesn't line up with a list of names, but you've still got to take it seriously. That’s why we turned it over to police."
Multiple students saw him with the pistol tucked in his waistband Monday, reports 9&10 News.
"This student brought the firearm to the school knowingly. He had shown it to students previously," said Grand Traverse County Undersheriff Nathan Alger.
One of those students told a teacher, who reported it to the school liaison officer.
"The building principal acted immediately. One of the school liaison officers was in the area and accompanied him to the classroom. They removed that student from the classroom, searched him and were able to secure the weapon," said Keith Smith, Kingsley Public Schools Superintendent.
No one was injured. Authorities say the boy said that he took the .25-caliber pistol from his grandfather's house on Friday.
The student has been suspended for 10 days. He could face charges and be expelled. Smith said the School Committee willl convene a special meeting Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. that will include a student disciplinary hearing.
On Monday, a 12-yearld in Chicago brought an unloaded .38 caliber pistol to school. The Chicago Tribune reported that he brought the gun to school because he was being bulled.
On Wednesday in Georgia, 17 year-old Austin Ray Guthrie brought a loaded pistol into Cook County High School on Wednesday. He's been charged with "Carrying Weapons Within School Safety Zones."
