Student, 10, charged with bringing gun to Detroit school
Detroit — Barely able to reach the top of the defendant's table in a courtroom at the Juvenile Detention Center in downtown Detroit, a 10-year-old boy was formally charged Thursday with bringing a loaded gun to school.
The charges of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon in a weapon-free school zone were read during a preliminary hearing in the Wayne County Juvenile Facility. The child was given a $5,000 personal bond by Referee Leslie Graves, who told the child's mother she could take him home.
According to authorities, the boy brought a loaded gun Wednesday to Spain Elementary-Middle School, where he is a student.
Parents of children who attend the school were called Wednesday and informed about the incident, according to the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Spain Elementary-Middle School is at 3700 Beaubien near Mack Avenue and Interstate 75.
District officials said the gun, with a bullet in the chamber, was found on the student after school Wednesday.
"The gun was seen by another student at the end of the school day and it was reported to a teacher," officials said in a message given to parents through an automated phone calling system. "The student was stopped and searched. There was no evidence that the student planned to use the gun at school.
"This matter is under police investigation where criminal consequences are likely for the student's parents and student removal from the school."
The child's lawyer, Stephanie White, admits the case is shocking but emphasized that not all of the details about the incident have been revealed.
"Any 10-year-old taking a gun into a school is going to be surprising," White said after the hearing.
The mother of the wide-eyed youngster told Graves her son had been in therapy before, that he has been suspended from school and will have to be home-schooled for now. She declined to speak with a reporter after the hearing.
The boy's next court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 7 in the Lincoln Hall of Justice before Referee Mona Youssef.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @CharlesERamirez