Demopolis Middle School was placed under lockdown near the end of the school day Friday when it appeared that a student was in possession of a handgun.

The weapon was later found to be a BB gun shaped like a handgun.

According to Demopolis police chief Tommie Reese, a DMS student brought the gun to school.

“A child did bring a play BB gun to school. (DMS principal) Clarence Jackson put the school into a lockdown mode,” he said. “We secured the BB gun from the child. The child (was) brought to the police station and questioned, and the case will be handled through juvenile court.

“Our thing with this is that we are not going to tolerate that happening.”

The student could also face disciplinary action from the city school system.