Child With Gun Spotted By James Hart Student, Reported To Police: D153

HOMEWOOD, IL — Homewood police were investigating this week after a student at James Hart Middle School reported seeing another student with a gun at school, according to a letter sent to school families Wednesday.

The student did not alert school officials of the incident before going to police, according to the letter from Homewood District 153 Superintendent Dr. Scott McAlister.

Homewood police interviewed the student who filed the report, and others involved, "but were not able to substantiate the report," according to the district.

School administrators on Wednesday also interviewed the student who filed the report, and related witnesses, and determined they were also not able to confirm the account, McAlister wrote, noting that "witnesses gave conflicting accounts as to what was seen."

"Over the course of the day, however, other students came forward to report having seen this student with a gun in various places," McAlister wrote. "It is our belief the gun in question was a BB gun.

"Regardless, it will be treated with the highest level of seriousness per the guidelines in our handbook."