photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence High School is pictured on July 28, 2016.

A student who reportedly had a gun in his backpack at Lawrence High School this week is now facing criminal charges.

The student is charged as a juvenile with criminal use of weapons, for allegedly being under 18 and possessing a gun with a barrel less than 12 inches long, and with property damage, for allegedly damaging a window at the school, according to a complaint filed Thursday in Douglas County District Court. Both charges are misdemeanors.

The incident happened Wednesday at LHS, 1901 Louisiana St.

Administrators were speaking privately to the student after he behaved inappropriately in the classroom, specifically by destroying school property, district spokeswoman Julie Boyle previously told the Journal-World.

Staff heard from other students that the boy possibly had a weapon, and the gun was then found in his backpack, she said.

The student was arrested at the school, Lawrence police said.

The student’s exact age was not available, but he was born in 2004, according to court records.

Boyle said the school would take disciplinary action in accordance with board policy that states, “possession of a weapon shall result in expulsion from school for a period of not less than one calendar year, except that the superintendent may recommend this expulsion requirement be modified on a case-by-case basis.”