Police: 10-year-old brought gun to Elmwood Place school

CINCINNATI - A 10-year-old boy was arrested Monday afternoon after he brought a BB gun to his elementary school.

Lisa Pfalzgraf, the principal of Elmwood Place Elementary School on Maple Street, called police around 3 p.m. to report a gun was observed at the school.

At least five students said they saw the boy with the gun which had the tip broken off, according to the police report. One of the students told police he was handed the gun by the subject and that if felt heavy and metallic. He threw the gun into the subject's backpack and walked away. Another student said the subject told him he would shoot him if he told anyone about the gun, according to police.

The student who brought the gun to school was located by police a short time later. The principal spoke with the student who denied having the gun. The subject finally admitted to bringing the gun to school and showing it to several students. The boy was then taken to his mother's house who produced the gun. The mother told police the boy's uncle had broken the plastic tip off the gun.

The student was charged with inducing panic.

The superintendent for the St. Bernard/Elmwood Place School District said parents were not notified about the incident because it occurred at the end of the school day.

Some parents like Emily McCarnan were concerned that the district didn't find a way to notify her sooner.

"It is nice to know what's going on.  It is important to know especially if it is a gun.  I don't care if it was a bb gun or if was one more lethal but it's nice to know," said McCarnan.

Pfalzgraf did speak with concerned parents. School officials are also meeting Tuesday to determine how to best help the student and inform parents of any future incidents.

The school did send a letter home with students Tuesday afternoon.  Superintendent of St. Bernard/Elmwood Place schools, Dr. Mimi Webb, told 9 News that the district could not have sent a letter home Monday because the incident was still being investigated.

The letter to parents written by Pfalzgraf stated that the school and police followed all protocols related to this type of incident.

Pfalzgraf also told parents that they should feel free to contact her with questions or concerns but discussion about the case specifically will be limited because it is still open.