The principal at Legacy Traditional School in Queen Creek where a fourth-grader brought a gun on campus last week has been placed on administrative leave.

“We are investigating the circumstances around Thursday’s discovery of an armed student on campus, and this inquiry includes making certain the administration at all times followed Legacy security protocols,” Legacy Traditional Schools officials said in a statement.

“Principal Alvarado has been placed on administrative leave pending completion of this review.”

Queen Creek police said that at 8:22 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, staff at Legacy Traditional School  contacted them about the student after discovering the child had brought a firearm to the Queen Creek campus.

The gun, which police confirmed belonged to a family member of the child, was found in the student's backpack, police said.

The day before the incident, another student saw that the fourth-grader had a single round of ammunition and reported it to their parents, Police Chief Randy Brice said.

The parents then notified school staff who confronted the fourth-grader at school the next morning after they were unable to reach the student's parents. They found the gun in the child's bag.

By the time officers arrived, school staff had moved the child away from other students to a secure area, officials said.

Police officers confiscated the weapon and had extra officers at the school to continue investigating.

Queen Creek police said they will recommend various weapons charges in the case, and the Pinal County Attorney's Office will  decide if any charges will be filed. 

“The wellbeing of Legacy students, teachers and staff members is our highest priority, and that includes supporting a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environment," school officials said in the statement.

"We look forward to continued conversations with our students, parents, teachers and staff members to ensure our school lives up to Legacy’s high standards.”