PORTAGE PARK — A 15-year-old student at Foreman High School was arrested Monday morning after attempting to bring an unloaded semi-automatic handgun into the school, police said.
The .25 caliber gun, which had no magazine or ammunition, was in the student's book bag when he entered the school, 3235 N. Leclaire Ave, about 8:30 a.m., according to an email sent by 16th District Commander James O'Donnell to several aldermen Monday afternoon.
The student did not want to pass through a metal detector at the school's entrance, and attempted to give his book bag to his mother. That drew the attention of a school security officer, who searched the bag and found the weapon, according to O'Donnell's email. No ammunition was found in a locker search.
O'Donnell declined to release name of the student because he is a juvenile.
The student was charged as an adult with unlawful use of a weapon in a school zone, police said.
At no time were any students in jeopardy, Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler said in a statement.
“CPS does not tolerate the presence of any weapon of any kind on school property for the safety and security of our schools, students, staff and visitors," Ziegler said.
Foreman Principal Dan Zimmerman did not return a phone message.