JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police said a student at the KIPP Impact Academy in Jacksonville was arrested Wednesday after he was found with a handgun at the school. It happened at the school’s McDuff Avenue campus.
According to the arrest report, the 40-caliber handgun was found in the 12-year-old boy’s carry pouch, which also contained two live rounds and a magazine. An off-duty officer working at the school who wrote the report said the gun belonged to the boy’s mother, who was called to the school.
Recommended Videos
Because of the boy’s age, News4Jax is not naming him.
The principal told the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office she preferred to deal with the incident internally but police said because it was a felony charge the student had to be arrested. The school said that per its school code of conduct, the student has been suspended from school and will attend an expulsion hearing.
The school told us that the boy reported bringing the gun with him in response to being threatened outside of school. Administrators said there was no intention to harm students on the property.
The school sent the following statement to parents after the incident:
Here’s a statement from KIPP, and a copy of the message that was sent to parents.
Here is the information you requested. All students and staff are safe after an unloaded gun was found on the KIPP Impact Academy campus on Wednesday morning. The weapon was secured by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and classes resumed as planned. The student said he carried the gun in response to being threatened outside of school. There was no intention to harm students on property. Per our school code of conduct, the student has been suspended from school and will attend an expulsion hearing.
Below is the statement that was sent to parents immediately yesterday: