GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — A 15-year-old Glynn Academy student was taken into custody Monday afternoon after a loaded 9mm handgun with four rounds of ammunition was found in a book bag.
Glynn County Schools Police Chief Rod Ellis said a lockdown of the school was not called, as he said that would have potentially given the student time to hide or get rid of the weapon.
Glynn County Schools released the following statement about the investigation:
At approximately noon today, a Glynn Academy school resource officer (SRO) and assistant principal (AP) received information that a student was possibly in possession of a handgun in a book bag. The SRO and AP immediately responded to the suspected student's location, isolated the student and the book bag and took them to a secure location. A search of the book bag revealed a 9 mm handgun loaded with four rounds of ammunition. The SRO placed the 15-year-old juvenile student in custody and subsequently remanded the student to Glynn County juvenile authorities. School administration notified the student's parents.
According to Glynn County Schools Police Chief Rod Ellis, a school lockdown was not called because the weapon was quickly discovered and secured. "Calling a lockdown could have alerted the student and provided time to hide or discard the weapon," Ellis said. "The officer and administrator responded immediately to the situation and secured the location without causing alarm. I commend them for their quick actions and sound judgement."
In addition to charges that will be filed by the juvenile authorities, the student will face disciplinary actions which will likely include expulsion from the Glynn County School System.
Ellis said that a student provided the initial tip about a possible weapon on campus. "One of the most effective means of preventing a situation on campus is creating an environment where everyone – students, faculty, staff and visitors – takes ownership and steps forward when they hear something or sense that something isn't right. That's exactly what happened here. The student that provided the information should feel proud of taking action and helping to prevent what could have been a much more serious situation," Ellis said.