\n<\/p>\n
A Michigan mom is speaking out after her 11-year-old son was expelled from school<\/a> \u2014 not for bringing a gun to campus, but for what his family says was a brave and selfless act.<\/p>\n Back in May, the Lansing Police Department confirmed that a disassembled, unloaded firearm was recovered from Dwight Rich School of the Arts.<\/p>\n A 12-year-old student was arrested<\/a>. But it\u2019s what happened before that arrest \u2014 and what happened after \u2014 that has one mom demanding answers.<\/p>\n Savitra McClurkin says her son, a seventh grader with no history of discipline issues, is being punished after stepping in when he realized a classmate had brought a weapon to school.<\/p>\n According to McClurkin, her son noticed the gun and used his hunting skills to quietly disarm and disassemble the weapon.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Classroom Con: 24-Year-Old Man Arrested for Allegedly Posing as Teen to Enroll at High School<\/a><\/p>\n He threw away the bullets and chose not to report the classmate, believing he could handle the situation without getting his friend in trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn’t want to implicate himself in it, nor did he want to tell on the person that actually brought the firearm,\u201d McClurkin told WILX<\/a>. \u201cBecause he knows firearms aren’t supposed to be in school.\u201d<\/p>\n His family believes he intended to protect others. \u201cOn what could have been a tragic and devastating day.\u00a0[He] acted out of courage and compassion,\u201d a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe<\/a> post.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>14 Powerful Pictures From Charlie Kirk\u2019s Memorial In Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n But when school officials later learned he had handled the weapon, he was expelled for one year \u2014 the same punishment given to students who bring firearms to school, regardless of intent.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of being recognized as a hero, [he] is now being treated like a criminal,\u201d the GoFundMe post reads.<\/p>\n McClurkin says her son is now enrolled in a non-accredited online program while the family appeals the school district\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n She has spoken at board meetings and has repeatedly tried to speak directly with school officials.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s 11 years old. Seventh grade. Never been in trouble before,\u201d she said during one recent meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline schools are honoring [the school district\u2019s] decision,\u201d she added. \u201cNor did they provide us a different resource or a different avenue to go.\u201d<\/p>\n McClurkin says she fears what this could mean for her son\u2019s future \u2014 especially given how hard she\u2019s worked to keep him on the right path.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Country Stars Who\u2019ve Been Shot \u2014\u00a0No. 6 Changed Everything!<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThey are setting my child up for failure,\u201d she told WILX. \u201cThey\u2019re setting him up to be a statistic, and I’ve been doing everything in my will and my power to keep him from that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s devastating,\u201d she added, \u201cbecause he\u2019s a bright kid and all he wants to do is be a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information on safe firearm storage and the most effective ways to protect children from unsecured firearms, visit <\/span><\/i>BeSMARTforkids.org<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n An estimated 90,000 people attended Sunday’s (Sept. 21) memorial for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.<\/p>\n Among the notable speakers were President Trump, Vice President Vance, Kirk’s widow Erika, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u2018He Acted Out of Courage and Compassion\u2019<\/h3>\n
A Mother\u2019s Plea<\/h3>\n
14 Powerful Photos From Charlie Kirk\u2019s Memorial Service <\/h2>\n