The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
On Friday morning at an elementary school in Milledgeville, Georgia a third grader was arrested when a gun allegedly went off in his backpack while he was in his classroom.
The 8-year-old boy attends Lakeview Academy, a private college preparatory school in Baldwin County. He was tardy when arriving on Friday morning, and his classmates were gathered in the front of the classroom reading. He was reportedly looking through his backpack in the rear of the class when a 9-millimeter Smith and Wesson handgun discharged through the bag.
The boy was held in the classroom until the school resource officer arrived, and he was taken into custody prior to being transported to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
The child, who was questioned in front of his mother, stated that he did not know there was a gun in his backpack and he had no recollection of ever having seen the weapon before. His mother said that she was unaware of how the firearm could have ended up in her son’s belongings.
The sheriff’s department learned that the gun had been involved in a burglary in October, at which time it had been reported stolen.
The child is accused of carrying a weapon in a school zone, reckless conduct, disrupting or interfering with public school, and possession of a pistol by a person under 18. The Department of Juvenile Justice ordered that he wear an ankle monitor, and he was released into his parents care.
The school decided that the boy will be unable to return to school pending the outcome of his court proceedings.
If you or someone you love is suspected of weapon possession, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.