Police: Elementary student brought loaded gun to school, stepfather arrested

Tabatha Wethal by Tabatha Wethal

BELOIT, Wis. — A man was arrested Tuesday after his stepson brought a loaded firearm to an elementary school in Rock County, officials said.

The Beloit Police Department said officers responded at 8:42 a.m. to Todd Elementary School, where a teacher saw a gun in a backpack and confiscated it.

Police officials said that Wisconsin State Statutes prevent the department from referring criminal charges against the child because of the child’s age.

Beloit officers investigated how the child acquired the weapon, which resulted in the arrest of the student’s 36-year-old stepfather, Brian Walker, on suspicion of leaving a loaded firearm within reach or easy access of a child.

Walker was booked and released and tentative charges and will be referred to the Rock County District Attorney’s Office, Beloit police said.

Child Protective Services is also investigating. Police said the age and gender of the student were not being released Tuesday.

According to a news release, the School District of Beloit is cooperating with the investigation and reports that the student will not be in school tomorrow or for the foreseeable future.

The Rock County Jail said a booking photo of Walker was not available Tuesday afternoon.

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