A second-grader took a loaded handgun to a St. Paul elementary school on Wednesday, according to police.
Someone at Highland Park Elementary became aware of the gun and a staff member called police about 10:20 a.m. to report it was in a student’s backpack. A school resource officer responded and took the gun, which had a trigger lock on it, said Steve Linders, a St. Paul police spokesman.
“There were no reports of threats being made or the gun being pointed at anyone and there were no injuries,” Linders said. There was also no intent to use the weapon, principal Nancy Flynn wrote to parents on Wednesday.
The 7-year-old student was turned over to his mother. She had reported her gun stolen on Sunday and “it looks like it’s possible her son had it,” according to Linders.
Police are investigating how the student got the gun and how his mother stored the weapon to determine whether she could face charges.
Flynn wrote to parents she was “disappointed to share” that she learned Wednesday morning a student may have brought a weapon to school. Staff responded immediately and found a handgun. Flynn noted the trigger lock prevents the gun from being used.
“We will not tolerate any behavior that puts our school, students or staff at risk,” Flynn continued. “There are consequences for students in situations like this and we will follow our standard discipline procedures.”
