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D49 investigating after first grader brings gun to school

Posted at 4:33 PM, Sep 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-26 21:23:02-04

COLORADO SPRINGS — A safety and security team from School District 49 says they are working with Falcon Elementary School of Technology and with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office after a student brought a handgun to school.

A D49 representative tells News5 the school was not loaded, the firearm has been secured, and students and staff are all safe.

The representative says a first grade student showed a staff member a single round at the start of school on Thursday, and that staff member immediately notified school administrators, who then called the Sheriff's Office and D49 security.

The student was removed from class, and a search of the student's backpack showed a handgun with a single round from a different caliber firearm in the chamber.

The student reportedly told administrators he did not want to hurt anyone, and D49 officials say they don't believe the student intended to threaten or harm students or staff. The Sheriff's Office says it will conduct a thorough investigation to determine how the child got the gun.

District 49 says it commends the quick action of Falcon Elementary staff in their response to the situation. The district also says while they do not believe it was intended as a threat, they are commited to a complete investigation and will determine the next steps for the student involved.