A .38 caliber revolver was confiscated from a student’s book bag at Gentry Middle School Wednesday afternoon, according to school and law enforcement officials.
The gun was loaded, although officials were quick to point out there was never a direct threat made against anyone at the school.
Surry County School officials and Sheriff Graham Atkinson issued a joint statement shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, saying the gun was confiscated after school was dismissed for the day.
According to the statement Principal Paige Badgett of Gentry Middle School received information that a handgun was located in a book bag that had been left at the school. School officials were unavailable for comment at press time on how exactly Badgette received the information.
Upon investigation, Badgett confiscated the loaded revolver from a student’s book bag. Surry County Public Information Officer Sonia Dickerson said the situation was handled in a manner she termed efficiently and appropriately with the assistance of Sheriff Atkinson and his office.
Because the weapon was discovered after school was dismissed the campus did not go into lock down. Parents were notified of the finding by the automated telephone system after 9 p.m.
Due to the age of the student involved, no other information can be released by school officials.
Dickerson said school disciplinary policies will be followed in the process. The investigation is ongoing. School officials indicated there were no threats to students or staff on the campus.
“This is the reason we encourage everyone to securely store firearms, use trigger locks and store unloaded firearms securely as well as educate children about firearm safety,” commented Atkinson.
Atkinson said juvenile petitions will be issued by the department in relation to the incident and other charges could be filed depending on the findings of the investigation into how the child obtained the firearm. Bringing an unauthorized firearm on school property is a felony for adults.
Dickerson indicated that student safety is the highest priority for Surry County Schools and the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and said both are all working diligently every day to ensure the safety of children and appreciate the public’s efforts to work with them in this process.
P.S. Why does religion have to be brought up? One can help others and not be Christian. Considering the part religion has played in alot of wars, common sense says steer clear.
The other option you(and others) have to get involved in your school. There was a time when parents did more than raise money so the PTA could buy a new scoreboard for the football field. They actually had influence over the future of weak teachers, what was taught, the school calendar, etc. That involvement created a link between the expectations of behaviors in the school and in the home. Kids need the social interaction provided in schools to be functional in the community. Home schools can be good academically, but ultimately our kids success requires more than just good academics. Parental involvement in the schools can bring the values and oversight of our community into an area that can really make a difference.....if our school systems are brave enough to restore those components.
telling us how to run our lives.
Donations funded the pictures on the bus that belongs to Surry County Schools. From my understanding, Dr. Hinson's picture was removed from the bus, but the students' pictures remained on the bus. Those children represent Surry County Schools and it looks really nice.
The parents of this child have obviously been remiss and how many others likewise. It's the parents who need to be held accountable.