A young boy who stole a Glock .357 handgun from a neighbor took the loaded gun to his school where it was kept for two days, officials said.
The gun was discovered Wednesday, hidden in between the trunk and a branch of a tree at the playground of Northside Elementary School in Walterboro, WCBD reported.
At first, the boy, who was not identified, told school officials that he found the gun hidden in the tree. But as Colleton County school officials and police talked to him they became suspicious of his story.
During questioning the student provided details about how he got the Glock Model 32 .357 handgun and how he took it and kept it at school.
The student told deputies the incident began on Monday when he he went inside a nearby neighbor’s house near his home after school and stole a can of “dip” and a handgun from the neighbor’s bedroom dresser drawer.
Tuesday morning, the student told police he brought the Glock and the smokeless tobacco to Northside Elementary School. Once inside the school, the student placed the handgun in a box which was located just outside the classroom door in the hallway area.
Later, Tuesday afternoon at school, the student was found in possession of the smokeless tobacco and his parents were notified. He was sent home from school by school officials. But, on Tuesday, the child did not reveal any details about a gun — and school officials did not know about it at that point.
Wednesday, the child’s mother, told police that she checked his book bag before he left for school for any contraband and said that he did not have anything illegal on him.
After arriving at school Wednesday the student said that he became nervous during recess he took the handgun from the box and placed the handgun in a tree. He later told school officials he found it.
School officials say the student who brought the gun to school has been suspended and is recommended for expulsion.
The Glock .357 is described as having “extremely high muzzle velocity and superior accuracy, even at extended shooting distances,” the Glock website said.
It also is lightweight with large magazine capacity. Many law enforcement agencies have selected the handgun as their official service pistol.