A tussle over a water bottle at Barrington Middle School last Thursday afternoon, Sept. 13, turned into an alleged threat with a knife.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross said that the principal at the school contacted police at 1:14 pm after a boy, 13, pulled out a 2-inch blade on a Leatherman-like utility tool. The incident was initially reported to a guidance counselor.

The boy “exposed the knife” to another boy he was tussling with over the water bottle, said LaCross. It is not believed he made a movement toward the other boy with the knife, said the police chief, although his actions were believed to have been threatening by the teen.

The boy with the knife said he was joking when he pulled out the blade, LaCross said.

The boy faces a charge of simple assault and battery, said LaCross, although the incident will probably be handled by Barrington’s Juvenile Hearing Board.