Published: May 07, 2008 10:58 am            

Boy takes gun to school

Sixth grader faces disciplinary, criminal charges

San Marcos — The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District suspended a 12-year old Hernandez Intermediate School student Tuesday after an assistant principal discovered a 38-caliber handgun in the child's backpack.

The gun was not loaded, but two bullets were found in the boy’s pocket, officials said.

A teacher became suspicious about a crowd of students surrounding the backpack about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.

She confiscated the backpack and gave it to Assistant Principal Ricardo Soliz.

Soliz took the boy into a room with another teacher, and upon searching the backpack, discovered the handgun.

San Marcos Police Sgt. Bob Klett, supervisor of school resource officers (SROs) for the district, responded to the school along with SRO Richard Prado and Juvenile Investigator Gean Tucker.

The youth, a sixth grade student at Hernandez, faces expulsion for a year for carrying a weapon on school property.

He also faces third degree felony charges for bringing the weapon to school. The boy has been sent to the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center in San Marcos.

According to Hernandez Principal Sandra Reyes, school officials sent letters concerning the incident home to parents of all Hernandez Intermediate students.

The school resource officers were meeting with students and staff at Hernandez today to discuss safety rules and procedures.

"Our school district takes circumstances such as these very seriously," said Dr. Patty Shafer, school superintendent. "We are grateful for our alert staff and the quick response from San Marcos Police Department's school resource officers."

        

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