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Handgun found in restroom of Charlotte elementary school

By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com
By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district officials are investigating after a handgun was found Tuesday morning in a bathroom at Palisades Park Elementary School in southwest Charlotte.

The school, on York Road near the state line, sent a message to parents saying they had notified police after a 43-caliber Glock was found in a restroom during morning arrival.

[READ: Knives, fireworks, 'hit list' found in Union County student's backpack]

Students and staff were safe and the school day was not interrupted, officials said.

"They basically are telling us that everything is fine, but I don't trust that,” said Matt Trimble, a parent of students at Palisades Park Elementary School.

Parents are being advised to check their child's backpack to make sure they're not bring something to school that they shouldn't, but it was unclear if the gun was brought to school by accident or with malicious intent.

CMS officials have not said if the gun was loaded, how it ended up in the bathroom or if anyone will face disciplinary action.

Parents were bothered by the discovery of a handgun inside the school.

Trimble said he received notification from the school too late. He said he found out in the morning and pulled his kids out of class.

"It was found early in the morning, at like 8-something in the morning, before class even started, and no one was notified,” Trimble said.

Palisades Park Elementary School sent out this message to parents:

Good afternoon Palisades Park Elementary families:

Keeping families aware of incidents that happen on campus is important.  This morning during arrival a weapon was found in one of our hallway restrooms.  Safety protocols were immediately implemented and CMS law enforcement was notified. Students and staff are safe and the instructional day was not interrupted.  Please check your children's backpacks daily to ensure that appropriate items are being brought to school.

Thank you for your support of PPES.

"If they say weapon, they should say what kind of weapon it was, just so we know as a parent what to expect,” Trimble said. "If it was a serious problem, they need to take it seriously."

Police are investigating, but Channel 9 didn't see any extra security on campus.

Bringing a gun to school is a felony, and if convicted, it can lead to several months of community service or up to a year in prison.

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