Utah Sixth Grader Brings Unloaded Gun To School, Says His Parents Encouraged Him To Following Sandy Hook Shooting
An 11-year-old Utah boy was confronted by teachers after bringing an unloaded handgun to school, allegedly at the prodding of his parents, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Fox reports.
The unidentified Salt Lake City sixth grader brandished a .22 caliber handgun during recess at the West Kearns Elementary School and showed it to fellow students, reportedly pointing it at a female classmate's head and threatening to kill her.
Teachers were not immediately alerted about the situation. When students finally brought it to their attention, the boy was apprehended and the weapon secured in 30 to 45 seconds, a district spokesman told Fox.
Following the incident, however, no lockdown measures were put into place, which irked many parents. Further, they felt the school inadequately notified them of the situation, according to reports.
"There was no lockdown. No one was called. Nothing was done. And then we had to hear it from our kids," John Klaus, a father of a student at the school, told Fox.
School administrators say there was no need for a lockdown because they determined that the situation was resolved as soon as they got involved. They also were wary not to startle students.
Police are currently investigating what role the boy's parents played in the incident. The 11-year-old was taken to a juvenile hall and could face criminal charges and/or expulsion from school.
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