Sevier County is reeling from an incident at New Center Elementary School, where two students have been charged after one brought a gun to school and passed it to another. The Sevier County Sheriff's Department (SCSD) was alerted to a juvenile in possession of a handgun after school on December 18, sparking an investigation that would quickly zero in on the school as the site of the exchange, as per reports obtained by WVLT.
Both students involved were charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a weapon on school property. Adding to the severity, according to a WATE report, the parents of one student face charges of child endangerment. Despite the charges, officials and school administrators have emphasized that at no point were students directly threatened by either of the juveniles involved.
After the SCSD informed the school of the initial discovery, deputies went on to quickly respond to the homes of both students. As emphasized by a school system's statement, obtained by WBIR, “The Sevier County School System constantly strives to prioritize school security and student safety." It goes on to say, "Despite the fact that it doesn’t appear that a threat was issued, learning of the presence and exchange of a weapon such as this is both shocking and disheartening for us as educators and as parents."
Sevier County Schools have committed to fully cooperate with law enforcement and vowed to reevaluate security protocols. Extra security was provided by the SCSD on December 19, the day following the discovery of the handgun. In the wake of the incident, school officials have made calls to parents to actively engage in discussions about the importance of school security and weapons safety, and have extended gratitude to the sheriff's department for their decisive efforts in ensuring campus safety. As the investigation continues, further information may lead to ongoing updates in how both the sheriff's office and school authorities manage the situation and future protocols.
