Utah Kid Who Brought Gun to Class Claims Parents Armed Him for Protection Following Sandy Hook Shooting
A student at an elementary school in Kearns, Utah, who brought a handgun in to class reportedly told his classmates the weapon was given to him by his parents for protection in the wake of last week's shooting at Sandy Hook.
The .22-caliber pistol was unloaded when the 6th grader pulled it out of his backpack during recess yesterday and aimed it at another student. "He pointed a gun to my head and said he was going to kill me," Isabel Rios told a local Fox affiliate.
The 11-year-old was quickly disarmed by a teacher and rushed to the principal's office. The police were called but no lockdown was ordered as the incident was over in 30 to 45 seconds, according to school administrators at West Kearns Elementary School.
Still, some parents felt the school should have done more to guarantee the safety of their children. "There was no lockdown. No one was called. Nothing was done. And then we had to hear it from our kids," parent John Klaus said.
Some students were kept home from school today by their parents as a precaution.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police are looking into the veracity of the child's statement concerning his parents' involvement. Meanwhile, he has been placed in the custody of a juvenile hall and could face criminal charges as well as expulsion.
