A seventh-grade student from Michigan’s Dwight Rich School of the Arts was expelled after disarming a classmate who had brought a gun to school, according to his mother. The student, Sakir, noticed his classmate with the weapon and took action to ensure the safety of his peers. A GoFundMe page set up for Sakir and his family stated that his instinct was to protect his classmates, potentially averting a catastrophic event.
However, Sakir was accused of weapon possession and subsequently expelled from the middle school. His mother, Savitra McClurkin, expressed her outrage to local media, stating that the school had expelled her son for the entire academic year. The incident occurred in May, but Sakir did not immediately report it to his teachers due to fear of repercussions. The timeline of when the punishment was enforced remains unclear.
McClurkin explained that Sakir did not want to implicate himself or the classmate who brought the gun to school. He understood that firearms are not allowed in school premises. Sakir’s knowledge of how to safely disarm the gun was attributed to his hunting background.
Sakir, described as an “A/B student” and active in sports, is now enrolled in a non-accredited online program to maintain his academic progress while his educational future is determined. McClurkin criticized the school district’s decision, stating that it was setting her son up for failure. She also expressed her frustration with online schools for upholding the district’s decision without providing alternative resources or avenues.
McClurkin, who has been advocating for her son’s reinstatement, voiced her concerns at a recent school board meeting, but received no response. She questioned what she was supposed to do for her 11-year-old son, who had never been in trouble before.
The community rallied behind McClurkin, with many expressing their shock at the decision. A GoFundMe page set up on behalf of McClurkin stated that Sakir, instead of being recognized as a hero, was being treated like a criminal. The sudden expulsion has forced McClurkin to educate her son at home, causing her to cut back on work and creating financial strain on their household. The school district is expected to decide on Sakir’s reinstatement after the school year. It remains unknown if the student who brought the gun to school faced any consequences.