CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A fourth grader has been arrested after school district officials say he brought a gun and bullets to his east Charlotte school.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools spokeswoman Kathleen Bell said another Briarwood Elementary School student saw the boy playing with the bullets while the class was in the library and told a teacher’s assistant on Wednesday. The teacher’s assistant was taking the child to the principal’s office when she spotted the gun in the child’s waistband and took it.

Bell said the gun was not loaded.

Police were called to the school on Wilann Drive off of the Plaza. The 9-year-old was arrested and Bell said he will be disciplined by the school district.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Sergeant David Schwob said officials are trying to figure out why the child had the .380-caliber gun and bullets for it.

Schwob said the boy had been living with his 21-year-old cousin.

CMS has sent out a recorded phone message to parents to let them know about the incident. Thursday is a teacher work day, but counselors will be available both Thursday and Friday if parents or children want to talk to them about what happened.

DISCUSSION: What More Could Be Done To Stop Children From Bringing Weapons To School?