A student at River Oaks Middle School in Raleigh is facing charges after an unloaded gun was found in the school's gymnasium. The Wake County Sheriff's Office confirmed the weapon was discovered following a tip that a student had brought it to school. The school was placed on lockdown while law enforcement, including a K-9 unit, searched the campus, according to a report by abc11.
The lockdown at River Oaks Middle School began around 9:45 a.m., transitioning to Code Yellow, which allowed students to stay inside with normal activities. Principal Courtney Blake assured parents that students were safe and there was no known threat. The school returned to normal operations when Code Green was declared at 12:55 p.m. Although the gun was unloaded, the incident raised concerns about school safety and student responsibility. A juvenile petition will be filed against the student who brought the handgun to school, according to CBS17.
"Bringing a weapon onto school grounds is not only illegal but also poses a serious threat. The safety of our schools depends on everyone staying vigilant and proactive. We urge students to speak up if they see something concerning—whether to a trusted adult, one of our SROs, or through the WCPSS anonymous tip line," Sheriff Rowe said in a WRAL News report.
Under state law, possession of a firearm on school property results in a mandatory 365-day suspension. The investigation will also look into how the student obtained the weapon, and authorities are considering whether charges should be filed against the gun's owner. "We take them very seriously because this weapon or any weapon can get in the hands of any juvenile," said Capt. Rebe Mosley-Bobbitt, captain of school resource officers. "We didn't know that the weapon was unloaded or we don't know whether the weapon is loaded or unloaded until we come in contact with it. There is state law that if a juvenile comes in contact with the gun on school campus, then it is an automatic 365-day suspension. But also the parent of the juvenile or whoever the gun belongs to can also potentially be charged as well," Mosley-Bobbitt told abc11.
