A 12-year-old student at King’s Fork Middle School has been suspended and recommended for expulsion after allegedly bringing a 14-inch knife onto the bus.

The incident happened Monday, city spokeswoman Diana Klink said. The knife was in the student’s backpack, and another student informed the bus driver, who advised assistant principals.

The knife was retrieved by the principal, and no students were injured or threatened.

“The juvenile indicated upon questioning that he had been bullied by an unknown schoolmate and he was bringing the knife for protection,” Klink said.

Schools spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw said she did not know if the student had reported being bullied.

“Administrators take very seriously any reports of bullying and work diligently to help students feel safe at school,” she wrote in an email. “If administrators are not aware of issues, they cannot intervene.”