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Newport News high school student arrested after loaded gun found in his backpack

Posted at 6:08 PM, Dec 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-14 18:29:43-05

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., – A 10th grade male student was arrested Wednesday after a gun was found in his backpack, according to a school official.

Newport News Police said the gun was loaded.

The school official said round midday a student at Heritage High School approached a school security officer and shared information about another student possibly in possession of a weapon and gave the student’s name.

The security team brought the student into their office and then searched the student and his belongings which lead to officers finding a gun in his backpack.

They immediately turned it over to Newport News Police.

The student is currently in custody and the school official did not know under what charges but said the student will likely be expelled.

The official said the student claimed that the gun was not to harm anyone within the school but it was for protection outside the school.

Students’ parents were notified by phone message system.

The school said they are thankful for students who came forward and encourages them to always step up if they see something.

They do have metal detectors in the school (hand held and walk through) but they are used randomly.