Advertisement Child found with gun on bus headed to Geneva Elementary School Gun found in student's backpack, officials say Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A .45-caliber handgun was found holstered in the backpack of an 8-year-old student who was heading to Geneva Elementary School on Thursday morning.According to Seminole County school spokesman Michael Lawrence, the other students on the bus reported it to the bus monitor.The bus monitor pulled the bus over and contacted law enforcement who took the child into custody, Lawrence said.Authorities said the student with the gun wanted to show it off to his friends because he thought it was neat."I was just so worried when I heard it. I just ran. I wanted to come get my kids out, and I don't even really know if I want to bring them back," parent Nichole Rodriguez said. "I was just very nervous, and the first thing that came to my mind was just to come get them."The student was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center."When the child was asked why he brought the handgun to school, he indicated that the gun was his father's, who had a concealed weapon (permit), and he wanted to bring it to school to simply show his friends," Seminole County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma said.At a news conference, Lemma said the boy never threatened anyone."No threats to staff, no threats to cause harm at the school," Lemma said.Lemma said the boy will likely be released Thursday, and no charges are expected to be filed."Between our experts, experts at the state attorney's office and the school board, we have to make a tough decision about what is best for the child," Lemma said.Nine students were on the bus at the time, and all of them arrived at school safely.Lemma said the boy's parents are cooperating, but he did not rule out future charges against them for not properly concealing the gun."That's something our investigators are focusing in on right now," Lemma said.Lemma said the incident should be used as a reminder for parents to keep guns locked and secured.The Seminole County Sheriff's Office will be providing gun locks for free.While the boy who had the gun won't face criminal charges, he will face school discipline in the form of a suspension or expulsion.14277264