Stephens County High School Student Arrested After Attempting to Enter School With a Loaded Firearm

STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga. – A 16-year-old student was taken into custody early Monday after a weapons detection system at Stephens County High School identified a loaded firearm inside his backpack, according to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

School administrators and School Resource Officers responded immediately after the alert and detained the student without incident. Investigators later determined that the firearm had been reported stolen. Sheriff’s Office investigators were called to the school to continue the investigation, and the student was transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center.

The student faces felony charges including Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Carrying Weapons on School Property, and Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under the Age of 18. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues, officials said.

In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to working with the Stephens County School System to maintain safety on campus and credited the school’s weapons detection system and the quick actions of administrators and SROs with preventing further risk.