Elementary student in custody after claiming gun at school

THIS STORY WAS UPDATED AT 3:58 P.M.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — An 11-year-old male sixth-grader at W.D. Richards Elementary School is in custody on a preliminary Level 6 felony charge of intimidation after reportedly telling classmates on a school bus that he brought a gun to school.

The student was taken to the Bartholomew County Youth Services Center following the incident. The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s office will make the decision whether or not to charge the elementary student in juvenile court.

The incident occurred before school early this morning while the student was being transported on a Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. bus, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

The student made comments about having a weapon which were overheard by other students who let a teacher know, who notified school officials who then contacted law enforcement, Harris said.

A school resource officer was sent to the school to talk with the student, who was not allowed to go into the school from the bus, Harris said.

A search of the student, and the student’s property and bags found no weapon on his person or in his belongings, Harris said.

An emergency alert was sent by the school corporation at 11:57 a.m. today.