A 16-year-old Hobart boy was formally charged Friday as an adult with bringing a handgun into a Gary charter school last week.
The Post-Tribune is not identifying him because he is a minor.
Records show he was charged with unlawful carrying of a handgun, a Level 5 felony, and possession of a firearm on school property, a Level 6 felony.
The teen made a court appearance Monday where he said he’d hire his own lawyer.
Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan ordered his release from the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center on a $50,000 personal reconnaissance bond.
His next court hearing is May 10.
Police were called at 9 a.m. May 2 to Gary Middle School, 131 E. 5th Avenue.
Kevin Teasley, president and founder of the GEO Foundation which operates the Gary Middle charter school, said all of the school’s entrances have metal detectors, but school personnel were apparently not at the door when the student arrived.
Teasley said three students reported the student had a gun, then a counselor approached the student and a security officer searched him and found the gun.
Officials said the student admitted to bringing the gun to school and did not resist.
The officer confiscated the 9mm Glock Model 19 handgun. It had one live round loaded and a magazine with 28 rounds.
He arrested the boy and took him to the Gary Police Station, according to court records.
Gary Middle College is a grades 9-12 charter high school for non-traditional students ages 16-and-up. It has two campuses in Gary and one in East Chicago.
Carole Carlson contributed.
