Posted Thursday, April 19, 2012 --- 1:05 a.m.

WAUPACA, Wis. (AP) -- A Waupaca High School student is expected to make an appearance in court later Thursday on accusations of bringing a loaded handgun to school.

Waupaca Police Chief Tim Goke says the 16-year-old girl showed the gun to a friend, who later told an adult and police got involved. Investigators say the girl told them she brought the gun to school to scare students who were harassing her, but didn't intend to shoot anyone.

Goke says the gun was loaded when officers recovered it.

School district administrator David Poeschl says the student is suspended pending an expulsion hearing. WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/IBoeq9 ) reports the girl brought the gun to school Tuesday in a handbag.

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Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.