Middle schooler brings gun, arrested

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The search for a stolen electronic device led to the discovery of a loaded handgun in a student's backpack at a Grand Rapids school.

The Alger Heights Middle School student was arrested and suspended with a recommendation for expulsion.

District security officers searched the locker of the suspect Thursday and found the weapon in the bag, according to a news release from the school.

Police officers were dispatched to the school and took the student into custody.

Police told 24 Hour News 8 the suspect has been in trouble with the law in the past, and was on probation and a tether when this latest incident occurred.

Police said they don't know why the student brought the gun to school and whether he planned to hurt someone.

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School officials sent a letter to parents Thursday regarding the situation --

Dear Alger Parent/Guardian(s):

I am writing to inform you about an incident that occurred today at school.

This morning, a staff member received a tip about a stolen electronic device that was allegedly in the back pack of one of our students. We investigated the allegation, searched the locker of the student in question, and discovered that there was a weapon in a back pack.

The Grand Rapids Police Department was called and the student has since been arrested. Please know that we take this situation very seriously and will be fair, firm and consistent in the use of the district's Uniform Discipline Code to guide us in how we respond to this situation. As such, the child has been suspended with a recommendation for expulsion.

I encourage you to please use this as a teachable moment and talk with your child about the rules, expectations, and consequences related to poor decisions like the one this student made.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this with me, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

Sincerely,


Rodney D. Brown
Alger Middle School, Principal