Louis Kramer, Northeastern Local Schools superintendent, said the student was honest with administrators at the school, located on Middle Urbana Road, and told them he inadvertently brought the weapon to the school.
"When the report was made to building administrators, the situation was resolved very quickly," Kramer said.
According to Sgt. Brown, the principal called the sheriff's office at about 1:56 p.m. after receiving word about the weapon from another student.
The preliminary investigation suggests the student told that second student about the gun -- which was not loaded -- and that student told the principal, Brown said. The principal searched the car and found the gun and a box of ammo containing 50 rounds, Brown said.
The car was parked on school property and the principal does have the authority to search personal property, Brown said.
Kramer said the student gave school administrators permission to search his vehicle. Sheriff's deputies were called and took the student who brought the weapon onto school property into custody at the school.
"We do not believe anyone at the school was in danger at any time," Brown said. That conclusion was reiterated by Kramer, who noted that ironically, the district is conducting safety drills at its schools this week. Classes for schools in the district end May 29.
Kramer said that while he cannot speak specifically about a possible punishment for the student because the case is still under investigation, "a student still can be suspended and then be recommended for expulsion" for a situation like the one the student is accused of committing.
The student is due in court on Tuesday morning for an initial appearance.
The name of the student will no longer be used because of his age and because the district supeintendent and sheriff's officials said they did not believe the incident posed a threat to students.
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