ROCKINGHAM — A student reportedly brought a gun to Richmond Senior High School on Monday.
According to Richmond County Schools Public Information Officer Kylie DeWitt, administrators of the school were made aware of a student with a gun around 11:45 a.m.
School officials have not released the name of the student or type of gun.
DeWitt said administrators “quickly seized the weapon” and turned it over to law enforcement.
Law enforcement secured the campus and students were back on schedule by 12:05, DeWitt said, adding that officers remained on campus until classes were dismissed.
“At no point in time was there an immediate threat to any students or staff.” DeWitt said. “As always, the safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority.”
It is not yet known if the student has been criminally charged or if the student will be charged as a juvenile or adult.
According to state statute, it is a Class I felony to have a firearm on educational property, which includes: “Any school building or bus, school campus, grounds, recreational area, athletic field, or other property owned, used, or operated by any board of education or school board of trustees, or directors for the administration of any school.”
There have been several incidents involving students with weapons on campus in recent years.
In November 2021, a student was charged for allegedly having a rifle in a vehicle on the high school’s campus. State records on Monday did not show an upcoming court date or that the student had been convicted.
This past November, a student at Rockingham Middle reportedly brought a machete to school.
Last February, a student reportedly had a gun in a backpack at Ellerbe Middle following an alleged threat.
