Florida Boy Caught With Loaded Gun at Preschool

Jan. 27, 2011
A 5-year-old boy was caught with a loaded gun at Moseley Elementary School in Palatka on Tuesday morning.

PALATKA, Fla. --

A 5-year-old boy was caught with a loaded gun at Moseley Elementary School in Palatka on Tuesday morning.

Palatka police were called to the school in the 1100 block of Husson Avenue about 9:30 a.m.

Police said a teacher was doing a music lesson with her pre-kindergarten class when she saw a small handgun fall out of the boy's pocket. Police said the teacher retrieved the gun and notified the administrative staff at the school.

Police said the .22-caliber Jimenez semiautomatic handgun was loaded with ammunition in the magazine but no rounds in the chamber.

Police said the boy told them he found the weapon in his stepdad's vehicle, but officers said they have not confirmed that information.

Police said charges will be forthcoming if the stepfather or another adult is found to have been negligent in this case.

"This is a problem that will not go away," Putnam County Schools Superintendent Tom Townsend said. "This isn't the fault of the 5-year-old. Someone is responsible for leaving a gun where a 5-year-old can access it, and that's a tragedy and it's inexcusable."

The boy who brought the gun to the school has been suspended and is not allowed on campus until further review by school authorities, police said.

The Department of Children and Families is also investigating.

Copyright 2011 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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