DALLAS (AP) — A high school student with a handgun took 18 classmates and their pregnant teacher hostage during a geography class Wednesday before police broke in and arrested him.
The 15-year-old had a loaded 9 mm automatic handgun and set off fireworks inside the classroom but never fired the gun, said Carrollton police spokesman David Sponhour.
The boy was charged with delinquent conduct, which under Texas juvenile law is punishable by imprisonment or confinement in jail. If certified as an adult, he could face charges of aggravated assault or kidnapping.
Police who were called to Newman Smith High School, about 13 miles northwest of Dallas, evacuated the area around the classroom and locked down the school about 8:15 a.m., Sponhour said.
"Apparently there was some type of homework assignment that the teacher asked him for and he said he didn't have it and she said she was going to send him to the office," Sponhour said.
After pleading with the teacher, the boy pulled the gun out of his bag and pointed it at her, Sponhour said.
The boy was apprehended about 8:40 a.m. when police forced the door open. No one was injured, and classes continued at the school.
Police said the school was equipped with handheld metal detectors, but that they were used only if officials suspected someone was armed.