A loaded .380-caliber pistol and a knife were found Wednesday in the backpack of a 5-year-old kindergarten student at Harrisburg Elementary School in Indian Land, turning routine dismissal into a serious safety scare. Staff spotted the weapons as students were heading home, secured them, and called the school resource officer. Deputies then seized both items, and the child’s parents were notified and came to campus.
What school officials said
According to WCNC, a teacher first saw a knife in the student’s backpack during dismissal and alerted the school resource officer. When the officer searched the bag more thoroughly, a loaded .380-caliber pistol was also found. Investigators said there is no indication the child knew the weapons were inside.
Sheriff Barry Faile told WCNC the situation was “alarming” and added that he was grateful no one was hurt.
Investigation and contact
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said investigators are working to determine who owned the pistol and knife and who put them in the child’s backpack. The agency is asking anyone with information to call its public line at 803-283-3388.
Nearby incidents and safety context
This is not the first time weapons have turned up in or around local school campuses this year. In January, a handgun and ammunition were found in student vehicles at the Lancaster County Career Center, as reported by WSOC‑TV. In early March, a gun was discovered in a parked car at a Charlotte middle school, according to WBTV.
District safety measures
Harrisburg Elementary’s website provides routine safety updates and contact information for families, and parents can check that page for official notices from the school. The school and district say they coordinate with local law enforcement on campus safety planning.
What's next
The investigation remains active. School officials say they are cooperating with deputies as they work to track where the gun and knife came from and how they ended up in a kindergartner’s backpack. The sheriff’s office continues to encourage anyone with tips to call the number listed above.
