An Ames Middle School student was suspended from school Tuesday after officials discovered the youth brought a gun onto school property.

John Kinley, Ames Middle School principal, said other students found out about the gun and immediately reported it to officials.

Following an investigation, the student was identified and a .22 caliber revolver was seized. Sergeant Jim Robinson of the Ames Police Department said the gun was not loaded and the student was not carrying ammunition for the weapon.

Police also said they found the gun to be inoperable. It was not being used to threaten anyone at the time of the seizure.

Kinley said he hopes the incident was isolated. “We’ve had one other incident since I’ve been here. About two years ago someone brought a BB gun to school,” he said.

School and police officials did not know why the student brought the firearm to school.

The School Resource Police Officer handled the investigation. Known as “Officer Bob,” the policeman acts as a liaison between the schools and the police department. The officer “happened to be in the building giving presentations” at the time of the incident, Kinley said.

Juvenile court services will handle the case. The student was charged with a Class D felony. The student will remain suspended until the investigation is completed.