Memphis Mother Charged After 6-Year-Old Brings Loaded, Stolen Gun to School and Shows It to Classmates

Another incident of a child bringing a gun to school landed a Memphis mother in jail, though her family says the situation was a terrible accident. 

According to several outlets, the Memphis Police Department was called to Geeter K-8 School shortly before 8:40 a.m. on Thursday, September 5th, after a school resource officer alerted authorities that a child had brought a handgun onto school property.  The loaded 9mm Ruger handgun was found in the 6-year-old’s bookbag, thanks to a fellow student who courageously reported it to school staff.  He was reportedly passing it around to other children.  

The boy’s mother, 22-year-old Ke’Erinie King, reportedly admitted that the gun belonged to her and stated that she had acquired it from an “unknown person.” Police later discovered that the firearm had been reported as stolen, unbeknownst to King.  

King’s mother, Lakeisha Williams, expressed her frustration, explaining that the family does not leave guns in places where children can easily access them.  She believes her grandson went to extreme lengths to find the handgun, even using a chair to reach it.  

“They made it look as if she gave the child a gun to take to school or she had it somewhere where he can just go and pick it up,” said King’s mother, Lakeisha Williams, told Action News 5.

This incident has understandably shaken the Memphis community, renewing discussions about gun safety and storage.  In response, Memphis-Shelby County Schools issued a statement commending the swift action of the resource officer and requesting that parents monitor their children’s bags. 

“We encourage all parents and guardians to check their students’ backpacks before they come to school each day.  It is also important to discuss the serious consequences of bringing any weapon or replica weapon to school,” they stated.

King now faces several charges, including child abuse, child neglect or endangerment, carrying a weapon on school property, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  She is due back in court on October 4th.