Boy, 11, brings knife to Mishawaka elementary school

MISHAWAKA — An 11-year-old boy brought a knife to Emmons Elementary School in Mishawaka on Tuesday claiming he needed it for protection.

According to a Mishawaka police report, the principal told an officer that the boy was taking the 4-inch black folding knife with a 3-inch locking blade out of his backpack and showing it to some of his friends.

The boy told the principal he found the knife on his way to school, according to the report. The boy later admitted bringing the knife from home. The boy reportedly told police he was carrying the knife for protection to keep himself safe at the basketball courts at Parkview Terrace Apartments.

The knife was taken and held as evidence. According to the report, the boy was suspended from school for five days and released to his mother.