Police say a 12-year-old Grissom Middle School student brought a grenade to school Thursday in his backpack. The boy's decision to bring the grenade brought him an indefinite suspension. St. Joseph County Police Lt. Matthew Blank told WSBT the student wanted to show the likely World War II memorabilia to his friends.
The student did show the grenade to a few friends while on a school bus Thursday morning and then later, teachers found out. Teachers took the grenade outside the school building and called police.
South Bend Police Bomb Squad techs were sent to the school to examine the grenade, and it was found not to be live. The device was, in fact, a grenade replica. Part of the fuse appeared to be fake and there was no powder inside, according to Blank.
The school will send a letter home with students Thursday explaining to parents what happened and reminding students NOT to bring to school anything that might be potentially dangerous, P-H-M spokeswoman Teresa Carroll told WSBT.
The student has been suspended indefinitely, Carroll said. An investigation will determine the length of that suspension and whether the boy will face expulsion.
Carroll said students remained in their classrooms while bomb squad techs worked with the grenade outside.
Watch WSBT news at 5 and 6 p.m. Thursday night for more on this story.
