The mother of a Michigan elementary school student is speaking out after her son was expelled for taking a gun away from a classmate.
Lansing mom Savitra McClurkin told local outlet WILX in a Sept. 19 interview that her 11-year-old son was expelled from Dwight Rich School of the Arts back in May after a classmate brought a gun to campus.
According to McClurkin, her child is being punished for what she considers a heroic act, as he was trying to protect the other students.
“I’m frustrated. I’m at my wits’ end. I don’t know what to do,” McClurkin told WILX.
Back in May, WLNS and the Lansing State Journal reported that a disassembled, unloaded weapon was found inside the school. Police later arrested a 12-year-old boy, whose name has not been released.
McClurkin said her son noticed his classmate carrying the gun and used his hunting knowledge to disarm and take apart the weapon before throwing away the bullets.
“He didn’t want to implicate himself in it, nor did he want to tell on the person that actually brought the firearm,” she told WILX. “Because he knows firearms aren’t supposed to be in school.”
A GoFundMe set up to help pay for the boy’s homeschooling explained that his first instinct was not to run away but to protect his classmates.
“On what could have been a tragic and devastating day … [he] acted out of courage and compassion,” the fundraiser message reads.
When school administrators learned that the 11-year-old had handled the weapon, they expelled him for possessing a gun, removing him from school for one year, his mother said.
“Instead of being recognized as a hero, [he] is now being treated like a criminal,” the GoFundMe post says. “He has been expelled and barred from all school platforms, despite being an A/B student, a respectful young man, and an athlete who has been playing sports since he was 6 years old.”
The frustrated mother said she has tried to contact the Lansing School District about the situation and even spoke at a recent board meeting.
“He’s 11 years old. Seventh grade. Never been in trouble before,” McClurkin told the school board.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Lansing School District Director of Public Safety Dale Person and Executive Director of School Culture Cordelia Black said the expulsion was not a decision administrators took lightly.
“In May 2025, a serious incident involving a firearm occurred at Dwight Rich Middle School. After a thorough investigation, and in accordance with Michigan law regarding dangerous weapons on school property, the Lansing School District determined that expulsion was necessary,” the statement said.
“Expulsion is never a decision the district takes lightly. It is always considered a last resort. However, Michigan law provides very clear direction in cases involving dangerous weapons. The investigation — which included statements and video evidence — left no ambiguity and required this outcome.”
“The Lansing School District has both a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the safety of all students and staff. While this decision is difficult, our priority remains creating and maintaining a secure environment where learning can take place without fear. Upholding these standards is essential to protecting our school community.”
According to McClurkin, her son is now enrolled in a non-accredited online program to continue his studies until a decision about his school future is made.
“Online schools are honoring [the school district’s] decision,” she told WILX. “Nor did they provide us a different resource or a different avenue to go.”
The GoFundMe page explains that because of the sudden expulsion, McClurkin has had to take on the challenge of teaching her son at home. This has forced her to reduce her work hours, creating serious financial strain.
“They are setting my child up for failure,” McClurkin said. “They’re setting him up to being a statistic, and I’ve been doing everything in my will and my power to keep him from that.”
“It’s devastating because he’s a bright kid and all he wants to do is be a kid,” she added.
