Fabian Ledgister, Freelance Reporter

A nine-year-old primary schoolboy was held with a firearm yesterday at the learning institution, police say.

The pre-teen, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was left in the custody of his parents after the matter was resolved with police.

Deputy Superintendent William Christie, head of operations of the St. Andrew South Police Division (within which the school is situated), confirmed the incident's occurrence, but disclosed that the weapon seized was not functional.

"We were called in by the school's principal. In relation to the firearm being taken from the student ... what we found was what appeared to be the framework of an old firearm, and not usable," said DSP Christie.

When The STAR viewed the weapon seized from the nine-year-old, it appeared to be a small revolver with a white handle. The metallic area was rusted and corroded, as if it had been buried for some time.

Police would not divulge where the weapon had been found, only saying the boy found the weapon and took it to school to show his friends. DSP Christie, fearing that some of the children may have been influenced negatively, gathered the students and gave them a pep talk.

"I spoke to all the students about the incident and how best to handle a matter like this. The student in question was also counselled, along with his parents," added DSP Christe.

The police say the incident did not amount to a criminal matter, and that they had left the principal to deal with the appropriate disciplinary measures.