An 8th grade student at a middle school in The Colony was placed under arrest Monday after school officials found him to be in possession of a handgun, district officials say.[[379700581,R]]
According to The Colony police, officers were called to Griffin Middle School at about 10:20 a.m. after school staff learned through a tip that an 8th grade student may have carried a gun onto campus.
The 15-year-old student was taken to an assistant principal's office where a gun was found in his bag and confiscated.
Officers later identified the weapon as a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun.
The juvenile was arrested and taken to the police station for processing. Officials told NBC 5 the child could face a "places weapons prohibited" charge, a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $10,000.
Elizabeth Haas, a spokeswoman for the Lewisville Independent School District, said disciplinary consequences are pending and that, for the time being, the student will not be allowed to return to campus.
Police told NBC 5 the school learned of the weapon after a student told a parent about the gun via text message. That parent then called the school, and the student was pulled out of class.
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Officials did not say how the student learned about the gun and there were no reports of any threats being made or of the gun being displayed on campus.
"This investigation is in its early stages and is actively our highest priority," police said in a news release.
Griffin Middle School Principal Michele Sandefur sent a letter home to parents, a copy of which was published online and can be read below.
May 16, 2016
Dear Griffin Middle School Parents,
I have important information to share with you regarding a situation on our campus. This morning, we received information that a Griffin student was in possession of a gun on campus. The student was immediately located and has been removed from campus.
All Griffin students and staff members are safe, and we will continue our instructional day as usual. I am grateful to the students who reached out to a trusted adult to report this information. Because of their quick response to a suspicious situation, we were able to ensure the safety of our campus.
Law enforcement officials are now investigating this isolated incident.
If you have any questions regarding this situation, please feel free to contact my office at 469.713.5973.
Regards,
Michele Sandefur
Griffin Middle School Principal
