An Edgewood Middle School student faces a year's expulsion after bringing a 9mm handgun to school this morning.
Warsaw Community School Corporation Assistant to the Superintendent Chris Gensinger, said the gun was not loaded.A parents letter will be sent home with all students to explain the incident, Gensinger said. He also encouraged parents to go online to view the letter at www.warsaw.k12.in.us
School officials did not identify the student or release his grade level.
Gensinger said a female student approached a teacher at the start of school this morning and reported that she bought cigarettes from a male student this morning at the bus stop.
Administrators at the school were alerted and the male student's locker was searched for cigarettes.
Once the locker was opened, school officials found an unloaded 9mm handgun.
The Warsaw Police Department was called to investigate and the student was taken into custody, pending recommendation for expulsion, Gensinger said.
The school has a strict policy regarding weapons.
"When it comes to school safety, absolutely, we have zero tolerance," Gensinger said. Students who bring weapons to school "are recommended for immediate expulsion for one year."
Gensinger said the fortunate parts of the incident were that the gun was not loaded and school officials found out about it immediately, at the beginning of the school day.
"It was unbelievably poor judgment on the part of the student," Gensinger said, "But we take every precaution to keep our kids safe."
