Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Richland County deputies arrested a 17-year-old student who they say brought a gun to school Friday morning.
Deputies say the male student posted a Snapchat video posing with a gun in the Blythewood High School parking lot. He was arrested after a school resource officer was notified of the video and brought the student into the school administrator's office.
An unloaded handgun with rounds in a magazine were found in his vehicle. Marijuana was also found in his backpack.
The following message was sent to parents:
Good afternoon. This is Interim Principal Bobby Cunningham calling Blythewood High parents with an important message.
Today a student reported a safety concern to one of our School Resource Officers.
During the investigation of the safety tip, school administrators and a School Resource Officer found a firearm in a student’s car. Our school resource officer immediately secured the weapon. No one was threatened or harmed prior to or during the investigation.
We are following district procedures and board policy in administering disciplinary and legal consequences.
I felt it was important to alert our parents in order to help prevent the spread of misinformation.
The Blythewood High administrative team is very proud of our student for sharing the safety tip with our School Resource Officer. We greatly appreciate help from our students, parents and employees who report concerns about safety to us. Please continue to do that so we can all work together to take the necessary precautions to keep our campus a safe place for teaching and learning.
The suspect was transported to the Richland County Detention Center and is charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds and simple possession of marijuana.