A sixteen year old Ft Payne High School student has been suspended – after a .357 Mangum was found in his locked vehicle on school grounds.

According to Ft Payne Police Chief Randy Bynum, the teen was taken into custody, and later turned over to juvenile authorities.

He was charged with carrying a weapon without a permit and carrying a pistol on premises not his own.

WAFF TV48 is reporting that school officials say the gun wasn’t loaded; however, they were unsure if there were any bullets in the vehicle.

The incident took place around 10:00am Monday, when the principal and a school resource officer went to the vehicle and found the weapon.

Police say it appears the student did not have any “ill will” against anyone but confirms that he declined to answer where he got the gun, among other questions.

Superintendent Jim Cunningham says that student will remain suspended until a decision is made concerning his status.

(WAFF TV48/www.waff.com)