11-Year-Old Michigan Boy Disarms A Gun But Gets Punished For It

An 11-year-old Michigan boy is at the center of a heated debate after he bravely disarmed a gun at school, only to be expelled for a year.

The seventh grader from Lansing, who had never been in trouble before, used his hunting knowledge to disassemble the weapon and discard the bullets, believing he was protecting his classmates.

However, instead of being called a hero, he was punished. His mother, Savitra McClurkin, says the decision has left their family devastated and fighting for answers.

The incident came to light in May 2025 after WLNS reported that a disassembled, unloaded gun was found inside Dwight Rich School of the Arts.

Reportedly, the Michigan boy noticed a classmate carrying a firearm. According to his mother, fear quickly set in, but he decided to act.

Using what he had learned from hunting, he disassembled the gun and discarded the bullets.

McClurkin explained that her son thought he was helping keep other students safe.

At a school board meeting, she reminded officials, “He’s 11 years old. Seventh grade. Never been in trouble before.”

A family friend who launched a GoFundMe page wrote that the child’s first instinct was not to run away but to protect his classmates.

“On what could have been a tragic and devastating day … [he] acted out of courage and compassion,” the fundraiser stated.

When administrators later discovered that the Michigan boy had handled the weapon, he was expelled for one year under state law.

McClurkin told reporters she feels her son is being punished “like a criminal” instead of being praised for bravery.

She also said he didn’t want to tell on the boy who brought the gun or implicate himself, but he understood that firearms don’t belong in school.

The GoFundMe page explains that he has been banned from all school platforms, despite being a strong student with A/B grades and an athlete who has played sports since age six.

McClurkin said she now has to homeschool him through a non-accredited online program, which has forced her to cut back on work and caused financial strain.

“They are setting my child up for failure,” she told WILX. “It’s devastating because he’s a bright kid and all he wants to do is be a kid.”

The Lansing School District has defended its decision, pointing to state law.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Director of Public Safety Dale Person and Executive Director of School Culture Cordelia Black said, “In May 2025, a serious incident involving a firearm occurred at Dwight Rich Middle School. After a thorough investigation, and in accordance with Michigan law regarding dangerous weapons on school property, the Lansing School District determined that expulsion was necessary.”

They emphasized that expulsion is always a last resort, but state law left them with no flexibility in this case.

The statement also highlighted the district’s “legal and moral responsibility” to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Officials said the decision was difficult, but necessary to maintain a secure learning environment.

The case has raised wider concerns about how the district handles safety and communication.

On May 22, when the disassembled, unloaded weapon was discovered, parents weren’t notified until hours later.

Police said a 12-year-old boy was arrested, but many families only learned of the incident through rumors.

Parent Amber Petersen told reporters she had pulled her children from the school earlier because of similar communication issues, adding, “Luckily we moved out of district and were able to get our kids out of the school, but not everybody has that option.”

Teachers also expressed frustration in internal emails obtained by the State Journal.

One teacher asked why the school wasn’t placed on restricted access immediately after the weapon was found.

Another said she only learned what was happening from her students, making it hard to comfort them.

In response, Principal Shannon Harris said protocols had been followed, but many staff remained unconvinced.

Despite the expulsion, the little boy’s mom is determined to fight for her son’s future.

She has spoken at board meetings, reached out to administrators, and continues to demand a review of the decision.

She said her son acted bravely and should not be cast aside. “I’m frustrated. I’m at my wits’ end. I don’t know what to do,” she admitted, describing the toll this has taken on her family.

For now, the boy is stuck in an online program that may not properly prepare him for the future.

His mother fears he is being pushed toward becoming a “statistic,” but she vows to keep him on track.

“In the wake of whatever their success is, their dad remains the same,” she said, adding that his family will always be there for him.