Student Found With Gun In Book Bag At Lincoln-Way West High

(CBS) -- A student at a southwest suburban high school was arrested Monday morning after a handgun was found in his book bag, according to a school district official.

The gun was found in the book bag of student at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox, according to Scott Tingley, superintendent of Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210.

He said it was unknown whether the gun was loaded.

According to Tingley, the student "had a family member's pistol and was showing it to other students over the weekend."

On Monday morning, one of those students notified a school administrator the student might have a gun.

"It takes courage for a student to come forward and say this is a situation where I just don't feel comfortable about it," Tingley said. "It gave our administration an opportunity to look into it and certainly our students are a little safer as a result."

Tingley said the student told school officials that he had been out shooting over the weekend and forgot the gun was in his bag.

The student was turned over to Will County police.

No threats were made and the school continued to operate normally.

Citing privacy, the superintendent would not release the age or gender of the student.