JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. — A student was taken into custody at East Jackson Comprehensive High School after bringing a loaded handgun to school, officials said.
According to a note sent to families by Principal Matt Stratemeyer, the student will "be facing disciplinary consequences and criminal charges."
It was not clear how the gun was initially reported, with the letter to families stating it was "brought to the attention of building administration this morning that a student was in possession of a weapon on our campus."
"School administrators and school resource officers took swift action and found a loaded handgun. The student was immediately taken into custody by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, is no longer on campus, and will be facing disciplinary consequences and criminal charges," Prinicipal Stratemeyer's letter said.
It added that "we are grateful that this concern was reported immediately so we could work with our partners from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to take action and ensure that our school is safe."
The principal asked parents to "partner with us in creating a safe learning environment for all students by reinforcing with your children that weapons, to include firearms, pocket knives, toys, and look-alikes, are neither appropriate for, nor permitted in, any Jackson County School System facility."
"School safety is of paramount importance to our school and district," the letter states.
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