WYOMING, Mich. — A student from Wyoming Junior High School is being held in the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center after bringing an unloaded handgun to school Monday.
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Reeder tells FOX 17 that a female student told her father Monday night that a boy at school had shown her and other students a gun near the end of the school day.
The girl reported the incident to school officials Tuesday morning, who then told their on-site community officer.
Wyoming Police Detective-Lieutenant Scott Beckman said the officer then went to the home of the student, where the boy admitted to bringing the gun. The officer found several airsoft guns and the weapon in question.
FOX 17 has learned the student in question is an 8th-grade male. He has been expelled from the school.
Michigan State Law says that possession of a weapon in a school zone can be punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
In a letter sent home to parents on Tuesday, Principal Jon Blackburn urges parents to “remind your son or daughter to let school officials know if they suspect any inappropriate items at school.”
Beckman praises the actions of the girl who reported the incident.
“They did the right thing when they went to the staff,” he said. “Being able to do that – not only is it courageous, especially today, but it is the right thing to do.”
Dr. Reeder says the school won’t be making any adjustments to their security. Beckman understands the decision.
“How high do you increase it?” he said. “How far do you go? There’s one extreme to the other. There’s no security; there’s a lockdown facility. I mean, how far do you truly want to go when it comes to security, and how much would be willing to accept?”
The student in question will be held in juvenile detention until a court date is set.
