Dickinson ISD 4th grader caught with loaded gun on campus

BACLIFF, Texas (KTRK) -- A Dickinson ISD student was reportedly caught carrying a gun in their backpack on campus on Monday.

A fourth grade student at K.E. Little Elementary brought a loaded gun to school on Monday morning, according to an email sent to parents.

Around 8:20 a.m., before the school day started, another student told a teacher that one of the fourth grade students was hiding a gun in his or her backpack.

The teacher alerted the principal, who searched the 9-year-old's backpack and found a loaded semi-automatic handgun. It was confiscated and handed over to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office.

Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said the 9-year-old boy's father has been charged with making a firearm available to a child. That is a Class C misdemeanor that carries a fine up to $500.

In Texas, making a firearm available to a child is classified as low grade misdemeanor unless the minor discharges the weapon causing death or serious injury to themselves or another person.

Only in that case would the charge be a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and/or up to a $4,000 fine.

No injuries were reported at the school.

"Dickinson ISD is extremely grateful and proud of the student who promptly reported the gun to a teacher," the email sent to parents read. "Students are regularly taught about the importance of speaking up and we commend this student for the prompt response."

The district said it's discussing further disciplinary action for the child.