Boy, 12, allegedly brings gun to school to because he was being bullied

CHICAGO -- A 12-year-old boy told police he brought an unloaded gun to school because he was being bullied, officers said.

A police officer found the .38 special handgun, which has a five-shot capacity, in the boy's backpack at Schmid Elementary School near 97th and Greenwood in the Pullman neighborhood on Monday. No one was injured.

The boy was taken into custody and cited with juvenile in a juvenile petition with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony charge, officials said. Officials have not said how the boy got the gun, which has a scratched off serial number. Officials said the boy was released to his parents, and this was his first offense.

Parents said Schmid sent a note home about a dangerous weapon being brought to school, and said the school is good at keeping communication open about bullying.

"I think that everyone, every parent needs to check their children's book bag. I want you to have a peaceful day," Kenneth Jackson, grandparent, said.

The principal at Schmidt Elementary School has not commented.