6th grader brings loaded gun to Mesquite school

MESQUITE, Texas - Police arrested a Mesquite sixth grader after he brought a loaded semi-automatic pistol to school on Wednesday.

Police say the 12-year-old Terry Middle School student had the weapon in a school backpack when he opened the bag and allowed a group of students to see it. It was a loaded semi-automatic pistol. At least one or more of those who saw it told school administrators about it.

The student was in police custody by 10 a.m. and a pre-recorded message from the school district was sent out to parents' phones.

Jacy Campbell received the district’s message.

"I was terrified when I got the phone call,” said Campbell. "As a parent, you don't ever want to hear a student… took action."

Police arrived at the campus and immediately got the boy out of his class. The retrieved the backpack from his locker with the gun inside.

Police say the gun was loaded but jammed and would not have fired.

Investigators also learned the student got the gun from a briefcase that was in a locked closet at his grandmothers' home. They discovered the gun became jammed when he actually fired the weapon the day before.

Parents who heard of the situation and its outcome are mainly glad other students got involved.

The 12-year-old told police he brought the gun ‘for protection.’ However, police say there is no proof the sixth grader was harassed or bullied in school. He is being held at the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center.