Sixth-grader brings gun to San Marcos school

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- School officials in San Marcos have suspended a sixth-grader after finding a handgun in his backpack Tuesday afternoon.

The gun was found on the Hernandez Intermediate School campus. A teacher noticed a group of students gathered around a backpack and took the backpack away. An assistant principal discovered a .38-caliber handgun inside.

The gun was not loaded, but a school resource officer found two bullets in the student's pocket.

"Very easily he probably could have loaded that gun and hurt someone," said Amanda Rios, whose daughter also attends Hernandez. "I'm very concerned. I'll probably have to go up there and discuss if my child is safe in there, and they should be safe within the school."

The student, 12, could be expelled for a year for carrying the gun on school property. He also faces felony charges for bringing the gun to campus.

He was detained at the Hays County Juvenile Detention Center.

"Our school district takes circumstances such as these very seriously," said Superintendent Patty Shafer in a written statement. "We are grateful for our alert staff and the quick response from San Marcos Police Department's school resource officers."

A letter will go home with students Wednesday explaining to parents what happened. School resource officers will also be on campus Wednesday morning to speak with students and staff about safety rules and procedures.