Prosser middle school locked down briefly for gun in locker

A 13-year-old student at Housel Middle School in Prosser was detained by police after reportedly bringing a loaded .9-mm handgun to school.

Prosser police found the gun Wednesday in the student’s locker after another student reported that a gun may be on campus. School officials say the teen was immediately expelled.

The student told police he brought the gun to school for protection against several high school students, police said. He told officials he didn’t intend to shoot classmates or teachers.

The school was locked down for about 90 minutes while police investigated, said Deanna Flores, assistant superintendent.

Flores posted a letter about the incident on the district’s website and Facebook page. A message also was sent to students’ homes through an automated system.

It’s unclear if the boy was released to his parents or taken to the Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center in Kennewick.

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Prosser middle school locked down briefly for gun in locker."