GRPD: 15-year-old brings gun to school

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -  A 15-year-old boy was arrested after he brought a loaded gun to his school Tuesday, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Staff at Lighthouse Charter Academy, 1260 Ekhart St. NE, learned the student had the weapon concealed in his possession and called 911.

Officers were dispatched at 10:25 a.m. and talked to the boy inside the building.

He had the .38 caliber handgun with him.

The teen was taken into custody and transported to the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.

Superintendent Heidi Cate released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying that staff members were informed of the gun by another student.

The student carrying the gun has been suspended, the statement said, pending a disciplinary hearing by the school board.

Cate reiterated that no other students were threatened by the student found in possesion of the weapon.

If you have more information about this incident you are asked to call 616.456.3604 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.

The full statement from Lighthouse Academy's Superintendent Heidi Cate:

"This morning, a staff member at Lighthouse Academy – North Campus, a strict disciplinary academy, was informed by a student that another student had brought a gun to school. The school immediately called the police who searched the student, found a gun, and promptly arrested him. The safety and well-being of our students is of the utmost concern to our school. Therefore, the student has been suspended indefinitely pending a disciplinary hearing by the board. It’s important to note that no students were threatened by the student prior to the arrest and the school day continued without further incident. I commend both the student who came forward for doing the right thing by speaking up, and the staff who handled this unfortunate incident swiftly and appropriately."