An 18-year-old Evanston Township High School student was charged with a felony Wednesday for carrying a semi-automatic handgun in his backpack at school.

ETHS officials notified the school resource officer assigned to the school that at about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday they discovered a handgun in his backpack, according to a news release. The officer took possession of the unloaded Walther P38 semi-automatic handgun and arrested the student.

The student was charged with a felony for unlawful use of a weapon and a misdemeanor for both unlawful use of a weapon and for not having a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card.

The suspect is currently in custody and will appear in bond court Thursday, Evanston police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan said in an email to The Daily.

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