The Chattanooga Police Department this morning is reporting that a 9-year-old boy brought a loaded handgun to Eastside Elementary School.

The release said the boy had an admitted gang affiliation.

"A teacher at Eastside Elementary School found a gun in the desk of a 9-yr-old student just before 9:30 this morning," the release said. "According to the teacher, she overheard the boy tell another student to look at the gun. She then went to his desk and discovered the loaded weapon."

The child has been taken into custody, police officials said. He will be charged with possession of a firearm on school property.