Nash County mother charged after loaded gun was found in her 10-year-old son's bookbag

A woman is facing a misdemeanor charge after her 10-year-old son found a loaded handgun in his bookbag in Nash County.

2026-04-30

Deputies were called on Wednesday after reports of a possible gun on a school bus. Officials said the boy had gotten on the school bus, and when he sat down, he said he noticed his bookbag was heavier than normal. He then unzipped his bag and found a small-caliber handgun inside, according to the Nash County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the student immediately zipped up his bag, then took it directly to the bus driver, who notified school administrators and the school’s resource officer.

A school resource officer for Hubbard Elementary School in Battleboro secured the gun, which was determined to be a Diamondback DB9, subcompact 9-millimeter pistol. Officials said the gun was loaded but not chambered.

Deputies charged the boy’s mother, Malasia Brianna Coleman, with one count of improper storage of a firearm, a class one misdemeanor.

Officials said she confirmed with authorities that she used the boy’s bookbag to assist while moving and had placed the gun inside, but forgot to remove it.

Officials said the boy was not aware the gun was inside his bag and had “no malice or ill intent” in bringing the gun to school. The boy is not facing any charges.

Deputies commended the boy for staying calm and promptly notifying an adult.

“His decision-making skills of not removing the item, not allowing other students to handle the weapon, and reporting the issue to an adult may have saved the lives of others,” a news release from the sheriff’s office read in part.