Creston teen with gun 'felt threatened'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Creston High School 10th grader is in the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center after bringing a sawed-off shotgun into school Tuesday morning.

His mother and cousin say the incident stems from recent altercations in and around the high school. The pair, who did not want to be identified, spoke with 24 Hour News 8 at their northeast-side Grand Rapids home on Tuesday to share why they think this happened.

"He's young, innocent, and he made a mistake," the teenage suspect's cousin said.

The teen's mother and cousin don't know how he got ahold of a sawed-off shotgun, but say he must have felt threatened.

"Somehow, he must have thought (a) boy was going to pick on him ... bully him around and they're going to end up fighting," the cousin said.

It wouldn't be the first time, she added.

"(There) was over $65 in his pocket," the cousin said. "(A bully) took his money -- took his shades. And they did fight about his money. It was a brawl."

The suspect's family says they would like to see Creston officials crack down on bullying before situations escalate. They also would like to see a dress code implemented.

They pray for their son and cousin and hope it's not too late.

"I would hope they would clear his record and give him a second chance," the cousin said.

After the incident Monday afternoon when a shot was fired outside the school, officials were on a heightened security alert.

Police told 24 Hour News 8 the sophomore's teacher saw the boy in her classroom and noticed he was "acting out of character." The teacher alerted someone in the office, and police responded.

The student was found with a sawed-off shotgun in his pantsleg, and he was found with shotgun shells in his possession. The gun was not loaded.

He is facing charges of possessing a sawed-off shotgun and carrying a concealed weapon.

No one was injured, and no shots were fired.

The Michigan State Police were on the scene, with the K9 unit searching the building. Walk-through metal detectors were installed and will be ready in time for school Wednesday.

Officials decided to release the 1000 students who attend Creston. School buses were brought in around 11 a.m. and took all bus-riding students home, dropping them off at their regular stop.

Creston began dismissing school starting at 11:15 a.m. in a staggered departure.

School officials called all Creston High School parents about the incident.

Monday afternoon, a 16-year-old was taken into custody after a shot was fired outside the school. No one was injured in the incident.

Authorities are not saying if Tuesday's incident is related to Monday's.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to provide updates as they happen.