OAKLAND PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - The Broward Sheriff’s Office has taken a 10-year-old student into custody after he brought an unloaded gun to school.
According to police, a fellow elementary student at North Andrews Gardens Elementary School told a teacher that the boy had a gun in his bag, Tuesday, at around 11 a.m.
Once the teacher notified the principal, the principal asked the child to empty his backpack and found the unloaded handgun inside.
Parents were notified with an automated voice message about the incident around noon. “Calling to make you aware of an incident at our school today,” it said. “Two students informed a member of our staff about a possible weapon on campus.”
One concerned parent said she didn’t know the extent of the situation. “I find out now from the news reporters that it was a gun,” she said. “I want to know everything.”
Other panicked parents rushed to the school to pick up their children and get additional information. “What’s going on?” asked one parent while another one said, “It’s unbelievable.”
7’s Skyforce HD flew over the scene as Broward Sheriff’s Deputies began their investigation.
The gun is currently in possession of BSO deputies and police are questioning the boy. “When students found out about it, when he was showing it to other students, they alerted the teacher,” said Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Veda Coleman-Wright. “The teacher in turn, alerted the principal, and then the principal notified law enforcement, so it’s good to know that the students are listening, that if they encounter any dangers or even perceive danger, that they’re letting an adult know right away.”
A fifth-grader spoke with 7News and said that a group of students saw the gun. “I got to school, and he pulled a gun out of his backpack,” he said. “It was a little beige and white gun.”
BSO officials believe the boy brought the gun to school to show his friends. “It appears as though this child brought this gun to school and pretty much had his own private show and tell,” Coleman-Wright said.
According to the school board, the incident was contained quickly and parents have either been or will be notified about the incident.
The school was never locked down. “I want to assure you that all students are safe and this did not involve any threats towards our school,” said the automated message.
Officials are looking into how the student got his hands on the gun.
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