STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – A teacher’s instincts turned a routine morning into a police investigation at a Sterling Heights elementary school Tuesday after a handgun was discovered inside a preschooler’s backpack.
Sterling Heights police were called to Schwarzkopf Elementary School around 8:15 a.m. after a teacher with Macomb County’s Head Start program noticed a student’s bag appeared to contain a weapon.
According to a letter sent to parents, the teacher immediately took the backpack to the school office, where staff alerted police.
Investigators determined the child’s parent is the registered owner of the handgun.
Teacher praised for quick action
Principal Amber Fante commended the teacher’s quick thinking.
“We would like to commend the teacher and our staff for taking immediate action,” Fante wrote in a letter to parents. “These protocols and the diligence of our staff ensured the safety of our staff and students.”
Lt. Aaron Susalla with the Sterling Heights Police Department said the situation did not appear to be intentional on the child’s part.
“It did not appear there was any ill intent. It must have been something that was in the bag unbeknownst to the student,” Susalla said.
When asked whether the firearm was loaded, Susalla declined to confirm, saying the investigation is still active.
“In our community there are responsibilities for being a gun owner, and if you aren’t properly owning that gun and properly caring for that gun, there will be accountability,” he said.
What comes next
Any potential charges will be investigated and submitted to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The student is enrolled in the Macomb County Action Head Start program — a federally funded preschool program administered by the county. The program is located at Schwarzkopf Elementary but is not affiliated with Utica Community Schools.