RED SPRINGS — A 17-year-old student at Red Springs High School has been detained for possessing a weapon on school campus, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday morning.
RCSO Juvenile Division investigators and school resource officers are actively investigating a weapons violation at Red Springs High School after a loaded .40 caliber handgun was found on campus this morning.
The weapon was located and seized this morning by the school resource officers after a search of was conducted.
The student, a 10th-grader, will face a 365-day suspension from school, the Public Schools of Robeson County said Tuesday morning. This is consistent with state law regarding students who possess a firearm on school property.
The discovery was made after students reported a handgun on campus to school administration, PSRC said. A search was then conducted by a school resource officer and the weapon was discovered. The PSRC’s Policy 4333 outlines prohibited behaviors on school campuses including weapons and clearly states that such behaviors will not be tolerated.
“We always encourage students and staff to report any activity that seems suspicious. We are grateful that no one was harmed and that the weapon was recovered by law enforcement,” said PSRC Chief Communications Officer Jessica Sealey. “Safety remains our top priority and we are committed to ensuring safe learning environments for all students.”
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Division is investigating the case.
RCSO has determined that the school environment is safe and the school day could continue as normal on Tuesday, Red Springs High School Principal Steven Sinclair said in a statement posted to the school’s social media accounts.
“I hope you appreciate our efforts to try to provide facts immediately to fight the negative effects of misinformation,” Sinclair said. “RSHS does not tolerate this type of behavior and disciplinary procedures and policies mandated by the Public Schools of Robeson County and the state of North Carolina will be followed.”
Sinclair also took the chance to remind students, if you see something, say something.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100.
“Under our system of justice, every person is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law,” a social media post by RCSO states. “The information contained in this post is not intended to be an expression of opinion regarding guilt. The views and opinions expressed by private citizens who may comment on this post are not adopted by and do not reflect the official policy or position of this law enforcement agency.”
Editor Chris Stiles can be reached at 910-416-5847 or by email at [email protected].