Virginia elementary school student brings loaded gun to class by accident

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria Police are investigating after an elementary school student brought a loaded gun to class on Friday.

According to an initial investigation, police say a student brought the gun to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy inside a bookbag. The student told a teacher they had a gun, and the teacher immediately took the bag. The teacher notified administrators, and police were called. 

Police learned that the gun belongs to a family member. The student's parents are cooperating with the investigation. Police say the gun remains in their custody. 

Further investigation by the police department found that the student brought the gun to class accidentally. Police say the child grabbed the wrong backpack on the way out the door and it happened to contain the loaded gun.

Over the weekend, parents at Lyles-Crouch received a letter from Principal Laura Burkart letting them know what happened. It is not clear whether the student who brought the gun to class would be back at school Monday.

Burkart told concerned parents that no student would be allowed on school grounds if they present a security threat to students or staff. 

Police say claims that the child threatened other students have been investigated and have not been corroborated. 

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office is investigating to determine if it is appropriate for the responsible adult involved to face charges. 

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