3rd grader suspended after bringing knife to class

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - A third grader at Ridgecrest Elementary has been suspended from school after bringing a knife to class. School officials said disciplinary action was taken when the child showed the knife to other students.

School officials confirmed the incident happened Monday. A spokesperson for Huntsville City Schools said a third-grade student brought a camping knife to class and was showing it to other students. A classmate reported the knife to the teacher, who then got school administrators involved. The knife was taken away and the student was suspended from school for three days.

According to the Huntsville City Schools Handbook, a student may not bring a knife or anything that resembles a knife to campus. School officials said this violation falls under a Class Two offense, which involves possession of a pocket knife that is not used in a threatening manner. For elementary school students in violation of this policy, the suspension is not to exceed five days.

"He did not threaten anybody or use it in a harmful manner, but that does not factor in the fact that it is not allowed to bring any kind of knife or weapon to school," said Keith Ward of Huntsville City Schools.

A concerned parent who alerted WAFF to this incident wanted peace of mind this wouldn't happen again. School officials said the matter has been discussed with the student and their parent, and it has been made clear knives are not allowed at school.

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