Laurel Intermediate SchoolLAUREL, Del.- A 10-year-old Laurel Intermediate School student has been charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon after he brought a gun to school and showed it to other students earlier this week, authorities have announced.
Laurel School Board President Patrick Vanderslice said that on Tuesday, the student brought a gun and ammunition from his home into the school and carried them in his backpack.
Vanderslice said that at the end of the day, when the child was showing the gun to some classmates, another student told a parent who promptly alerted school administrators. The administrators, in turn, contacted police.
When officers arrived at the school, they took the child into custody. The gun and ammunition were still in the child's possession, according to Vanderslice.
Vanderslice said the child has been suspended and could face possible expulsion from Laurel schools. Laurel police also charged the child with the aforementioned concealed weapons offense. He has since been released to the custody of his guardian, who has not been charged with any offenses at this time, according to police.
In a statement to parents, Vanderslice wrote, "Laurel schools are doing the utmost to protect your children, but we also need parents' help. The only way this child was able to bring a gun to school was for it to be available for the child to pick up and place it in his backpack. If you have guns, please make sure they are secured and talk to your children about the serious consequences of this child's action. Luckily, no one was injured in this incident, but we as a community have to be diligent."
Vanderslice said the board will continue to monitor this situation and look at ways that the Laurel School District can continue to ensure the safety of the district's children.
