Parents puzzled why 13-year-old brought weapon to middle school

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 13-year-old male was charged with possession of a weapon at school after he was accused of taking a gun and ammunition Thursday to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in north Charlotte, police said.

Parents are puzzled as to why a 13-year-old student brought a gun and bullets to school.

"That's a scary thought,” said Kolt Connelly, a guardian of a student. “He could have put the backpack down wrong, depending on what type of gun it is, it might not have a safety."

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools sent Channel 9 this message that was sent to parents: "Today a gun was found in a student's backpack. The weapon was not loaded. There was never a threat and no one was injured."

District officials wrote in that message, “There was never a threat and no one was injured. Please, make sure that you check your child’s backpack for any inappropriate items that should not be brought to school.”

Parents said it doesn't make them feel any better.

"If it can happen one time, it can happen again," parent Shoshana Kind said. "It only takes a child one time to say, 'Okay, if he can do it, I can do it, too.'"

Channel 9 is asking why the student had the gun in the first place and if the student will be disciplined.

Check back to wsoctv.com for more on this developing story.

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