CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials have identified the student arrested for bringing a loaded gun to West Charlotte High School. This was reportedly an isolated incident and no students or staff were threatened.
CMPD says the school’s resource officer searched the bags of several students reported to be loitering on campus around 9:23am. When the officer tried to search the bag of Nelson Smith, 17, officials say he pulled away and the officer noticed a gun in his waistband.
The gun was seized, according to reports, and found to be loaded.
Smith is charged with Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Gun on an Educational Property.
Shortly after the incident, the following message was sent to parents from Principal Barnes-Jones said:
Safety of our school, students and staff is important to me and I want to keep you updated about incidents that happen at school. Because of the tight security processes we have in place, this morning a student was found with a loaded firearm in their possession. Any student with a weapon on campus will be disciplined according to the Code of Student Conduct. This was an isolated incident and no students or staff were ever threatened and everyone is safe. Our school was placed on a restricted movement as a precautionary action. We have secured additional resource officers as an added precaution. Classes continued as normal. Please, talk with your children about bringing inappropriate items to school.
Thank you for your involvement with your student at West Charlotte.
