VALPARAISO, Ind. (STMW) – A fourth-grade boy at Cooks Corners Elementary in Valparaiso who brought a plastic BB gun to school Tuesday has been suspended.

In a telephone message to parents, Principal Erin Utesch said the student showed the gun to other students, but did not threaten or use the pistol. She said the investigation was continuing with the student’s parents.

“I thought it was important that you hear this from me,” Utesch said in her message to parents. She asked for parents to call her with concerns. The student was not identified.

Interim Superintendent Michael Berta said the fourth-grader will remain suspended until the investigation is finished, “hopefully by the end of the week.”

Berta said the pistol wasn’t loaded and the student brought it to school in a bag.

Berta said the student was telling some of his friends at school Monday that he had a BB gun and they didn’t believe him, so he brought to school and showed it to them. Other students told a teacher who informed Utesch, who then called Berta.

The boy’s mother picked him up at school. “He’s home until further notice,” Berta said.

Indiana law allows for a student to be suspended or expelled for bringing a weapon to school.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)