A 9-year-old boy brought a loaded handgun to Prine Elementary School Thursday and left it outside the front door, where another student found it, deputies said.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff's office, the loaded .32-caliber Beretta was found in the grass area outside the front door of the school, beneath the rain gutter spout.

Detectives said they eventually learned the boy had brought the gun to school. He told detectives he found the gun on Tuesday near his home, but did not have a reason why he left the gun at school.

No charges have been filed. The investigation continues.