LYNNWOOD — An Alderwood Middle School student has been expelled after he brought a gun to school earlier this month.

The boy showed it to friends on the bus ride to the Lynnwood-area school March 18, said D.J. Jakala, an Edmonds School District spokeswoman.

“We didn’t get a call until Friday morning (March 19) from a parent,” Jakala said.

The district immediately contacted the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. The student admitted to deputies he brought it to school, Jakala said.

In a letter to parents, Alderwood principal Gary Axtell wrote: “Through the school’s and the sheriff’s deputies’ investigation, we learned the student did not intend to use the weapon and was bringing it to show fellow students.

“This is an extremely serious matter regardless of the intent and the appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken,” Axtell wrote.

The boy received an emergency expulsion, which means he can’t return to school until an investigation is completed and a level of discipline is determined, Jakala said.

The district sponsors a Safe Schools Tipline and any adult or student can leave an anonymous message at any time by calling 425-431-7010.

Eric Stevick writes for the Herald of Everett.