Boy, 12, charged with attempted murder after bringing loaded gun to eastern Iowa school, police say

Luke Nozicka | The Des Moines Register

A 12-year-old seventh-grade boy has been charged with attempted murder and carrying weapons on school grounds after he brought a loaded .22-caliber handgun to an eastern Iowa junior high school Friday, authorities said.

A female teacher took the weapon from the boy before police arrived, according to a news release.

The student was taken into custody after North Scott Junior High in Eldridge was placed on lockdown, Superintendent Joe Stutting said. The lockdown has since been lifted. No one was injured, he said.

Administrators and counselors planned to visit each classroom to make sure students felt safe. The school day continued after the lockdown.

Stutting commended the immediate action of his staff after the boy took the gun out during class at the beginning of the day. No shots were fired, the superintendent said.

Some parents have picked up their kids after the lockdown, Stutting said.

The boy was being held at the Scott County Juvenile Detention Facility, according to a news release.

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