Union Grove Middle student suspended for bringing gun

A Union Grove Middle School student was suspended Thursday pending a disciplinary hearing on charges he brought a loaded .32-caliber automatic handgun to school.

The unidentified eighth-grader faces expulsion if found guilty of the charge during the hearing, Henry County schools spokesman Tony Pickett said. He has been charged with carrying a weapon onto school grounds, Henry sheriff's Maj. Keith McBrayer said.

No one was injured and no direct threats were made by the student, McBrayer said.

"This was a situation where this boy was scared to death he was going to be beat up by another student, a matter of self-defense," he said. "He was trying to protect himself but ended up putting more people at risk. He made some real bad choices."

McBrayer said investigators are working to determine the gun's owner and was unsure if more charges could be filed.

"This kid is old enough to know where a gun is being kept and he took it," he said. "It's too early to tell if the owner will also be charged."

Pickett said the disciplinary hearing will take place within 10 days and the outcome could mean expulsion for the boy. He said he was grateful for a peaceful ending to the incident.

"We're very pleased another student became aware and immediately informed the administration," Pickett said. "That took some courage on that student's part."