Charges reduced for 10-year-old boy who brought BB gun to school

CINCINNATI - When the 10-year-old charged with inducing panic by bringing a gun to school took his seat in Hamilton County Juvenile Court, his feet could barely reach the floor.

Despite his age and size, he was facing felonies for inducing panic and bringing a firearm to Elmwood Place Elementary School in April.

But only for a few minutes.

Prosecutors reduced the charge to a misdemeanor, and dropped the firearms specifications, saying the gun the boy showed in his school bathroom was not real.

The boy had told police he brought the BB gun to school to intimidate students who bullied him because of his stature.

The boy will undergo a competency evaluation and is required to be under adult supervision at all times.