Student brings unloaded gun to Arlington Heights school

A 13-year-old student was expelled after she brought an unloaded gun to her Arlington Heights school to scare some students who had bullied her, said Arlington Heights police.

The student showed the semi-automatic pistol to another student at Christian Liberty Academy, a private school, at around 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 19.

The other student told a teacher about the gun, said Sgt. Tom Seleski of the Arlington Heights Police Department.

School administrators found the gun - which belonged to her parents - in the student's backpack, Seleski said.

"Who knows what would've happened if that other student didn't come forward," Seleski said. "If a student thinks something is wrong, they should tell someone."

Christian Liberty officials were unable to be reached on Monday.

The school's headmaster, Phillip Bennett, sent an e-mail to parents on Nov. 21, telling them the student who brought the gun to school was expelled.

"It is with regret that we must take such action, but we feel it necessary to insure the safety of all," Bennet said in the e-mail. "The gun was unloaded and never posed a threat to any student or staff member. It is difficult to ascertain exactly what the motive for such an action was but clearly without any ammunition present, it as not to harm anyone."

Police aren't releasing the town where the student lives.

She was charged with one count of possession of a firearm in public and will appear in juvenile court, Seleski said.