Gun in student backpack seized at Chino school

CHINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A student at a school in Chino brought a loaded gun to campus in his backpack, saying he was being bullied, according to police.

The incident happened Thursday at Cal Aero Preserve Academy, a K-8 public school in the Chino Valley Unified School District.

Police say a student showed a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun to another student at the end of the school day.

That other student alerted a teacher, who confiscated the weapon. School officials then called Chino police.

Investigators say the student brought the gun to school because he was bullied by another student. They do not believe he intended to use the weapon.

"Our officers then drove to the location where the student resides and contacted the parents where they interviewed the dad, and determined the firearm was not kept in a safe location," said Chino police Lt. Kevin Mensen.

The school alerted parents about the incident and the principal posted a statement online, reading in part:

"We take this incident seriously, and I ask your help in addressing the important issue of student safety. Please check your child's backpack each day and make sure that they are bringing to school only those items that belong here."

The juvenile student is facing undisclosed charges, while the father is facing misdemeanor charges for not properly securing the weapon, police said.