Classes carried on at Hopewell High School in Huntersville on Thursday after an 18-year-old student was arrested, accused of threatening to go to his vehicle to grab a gun during the school day. Administrators searched the student's truck, found a handgun and ammunition, and secured the campus while the student was taken into custody. No injuries were reported.
What police said
Huntersville police identified the student in booking records as 18-year-old Hao Gia Ho and said the threat was reported around 9:30 a.m. on May 21. According to police, school administrators found a handgun and 16 rounds of ammunition in Ho's truck, then contacted the on-campus school resource officer, who arrested Ho and collected the weapon as evidence. Public records show Ho was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail and charged with having a gun on educational property, with bond set at $150,000, as reported by WBTV.
Legal consequences
State law in North Carolina generally prohibits carrying or possessing firearms on educational property and spells out both the legal definitions and the possible penalties for violations. The statute that covers weapons on school grounds, along with the definition of "educational property," is outlined in the state criminal code. See the North Carolina General Assembly for details.
Police and school response
Huntersville police credited quick coordination between school administrators and the school resource officer with helping to reduce risk and keep students safe during the incident. As part of its public notification about the arrest, the department shared a photo of the handgun and the 16 rounds that were seized. WBTV reported on the department's post and images.
Why SROs matter
Federal guidance and research describe school resource officers as key members of a school's safety team, positioned to respond quickly to potential threats and to coordinate with administrators and first responders. Resources from the U.S. Department of Justice note that SROs are intended to support school safety plans and provide an immediate law enforcement presence when situations like this arise. The department's materials on SROs offer additional background on those roles.
Hopewell High School is part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which oversees the Huntersville campus. The school's website lists contact information and other details for families: Hopewell High School. Huntersville police said the investigation into the incident remains active and urged anyone with information to contact the department or school officials.
