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A 15-year-old Sandy Creek High School student has been charged with taking an AR-15 pistol and ammo on campus. The gun was not fired, said Sheriff Barry Babb, with an investigation showing that the student had “no event planned with the weapon.”
Babb said Sandy Creek High School administrators on April 21 contacted the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office regarding a tip of a possible firearm at the school.
“A sheriff’s office School Resource Officer, assigned to the high school, along with school staff, quickly responded, locating an AR-15 pistol in a backpack with 32 rounds,” Babb said. “The initial investigation determined the student was acting alone and had no event planned with the weapon.”
Babb said the weapon belonged to the student’s parent and is typically kept in a safe.
The 15-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with the possession of a weapon on school property, Babb added.
During the first appearance hearing the juvenile was ordered to be held at the Youth Detention Center until May 5, Babb explained.
“If there is one thing we have learned from this incident, it is that several students knew the weapon was on school property. I encourage students to use the school’s anonymous tip system for future incidents like this one. I would also urge every parent to have a discussion with their student to please get involved and not hesitate to notify an authority of a weapon or any dangerous activity. Someone’s life, including their own, may depend on it,” Babb said.
Sandy Creek Principal Richard Smith in a letter to parents said, “Today we were made aware that one of our students brought a weapon on campus. We immediately conducted an investigation and secured the weapon. The student has been taken into custody by law enforcement. There were no injuries to students or staff as a result of this incident.”
Smith commended the students who provided the information to school administration.
“Thanks to their diligent efforts, we were able to act quickly to protect the safety of our school community,” said Smith, adding a word for parents. “I encourage you to take time to talk to your student about the seriousness of bringing a weapon to school. These incidents can carry life-long detrimental consequences. Also, remind them about the importance of reporting anything they see or hear that could threaten the safety of students and staff.”
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