A 14-year-old LaFayette Middle School student is charged with aggravated assault after pointing an empty .44-caliber revolver at two students on a bus and pulling the trigger over Twinkies, police said.
"They were throwing Twinkies around and evidently had an altercation over it," LaFayette Public Safety Director Tommy Freeman said Tuesday about the incident, which happened April 29.
The teen boy "ended up pulling the gun on two other students and pretty much dry-fired the gun," Mr. Freeman said. "One of the victims knocked the gun out of his hand, and then the school bus driver contacted the school system."
The middle schooler apparently had the gun at school before carrying it onto the bus, he said.
Mr. Freeman said the two other teen boys involved were not injured.
The teen suspect is charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and possessing a weapon on school property, he said.
"Right now, we're continuing the investigation and preparing all the information," he said.
The teen faces a hearing on May 14, officials said.
Mr. Freeman said the boy brought the weapon from home, and it was unloaded.
"He had ammo with him, but it didn't fit that weapon," he said.
There are no charges against the teen's parents, officials said.
Walker County Schools spokeswoman Elaine Womack said the system is "investigating in conjunction with the LaFayette Department of Public Safety."
Ms. Womack said the student has not been back on campus, but she could not comment further.
Mr. Freeman said the incident draws a bright line under the nature of gun incidents.
"It's just another instance of children having access to guns and not knowing the ramifications of having a gun and pointing it at another individual," he said. "Once the gun discharges, you can't take it back."
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