A parked car in the lot at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in northeast Charlotte turned into the center of a police investigation Friday after staff discovered a handgun inside, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Officials said the weapon never made it into the building and no students or staff were harmed, but the discovery still prompted a law-enforcement response.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police seized the firearm and are investigating. The person who brought the gun onto campus has not been identified, officials said.
District Says Gun Never Left Parked Vehicle
In a statement to WCNC, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools confirmed the weapon was found in a vehicle parked on campus. Law enforcement responded to the school and took possession of the handgun.
The district reminded families that weapons are strictly prohibited on school property, including vehicles on school grounds, and said it works closely with local police whenever a weapon is reported on campus. CMPD is leading the investigation, the district told WCNC.
CMS: ‘No Threat To Students Or Staff’
Phillip Johnson, a CMS spokesperson, stressed that the situation did not escalate inside the school.
Johnson told WCNC “there was no threat to students or staff and no one was injured.” Officials said the individual who brought the gun to the parking lot has not been publicly identified as the investigation continues.
The district also used the moment as a reminder that students should say something if they see something, especially when it comes to weapons on or near school grounds.
How Families And Students Can Report Concerns
CMS noted that students and families can report safety concerns anonymously through the district’s existing channels, including the Say Something app. Say Something is a national anonymous reporting tool that connects tips to trained crisis staff.
The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, operated by Sandy Hook Promise, accepts tips through a mobile app, hotline, or website. CMS encourages students to use these tools or talk directly with a trusted adult if they become aware of threats or weapons.
Context: CMS Has Faced Weapon Incidents Before
The incident at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School is not happening in a vacuum. Weapons have turned up on Charlotte-Mecklenburg campuses in recent school years, prompting the district to invest in additional security measures.
A 2022 review found dozens of weapons incidents districtwide and reported that CMS was rolling out detector systems to middle and high schools to cut down on cases involving guns and other weapons, according to WSOC.
What Parents Should Watch For Next
CMS officials said families will be notified through the district’s usual communication channels if there are any significant updates on the investigation or safety protocols.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are asking anyone with information about the handgun in the school parking lot to contact detectives. Tipsters can also use the district’s safety reporting options, including anonymous tools, to share what they know.
