Student Arrested After Attempting to Bring Loaded Firearm into Stephens County High School
STEPHENS COUNTY, TX – On Monday morning, December 1, a 16-year-old male student was arrested after attempting to bring a loaded firearm onto the campus of Stephens County High School in Toccoa, GA. The school’s weapons detection system immediately identified the pistol inside the student’s backpack, prompting a rapid response from administrators and on-site School Resource Officers (SROs).
According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, the student was taken into custody without incident. Investigators determined that the firearm was stolen, and the student was subsequently transported to the nearest Regional Youth Detention Center. He is currently facing multiple felony charges, including:
- Theft by Receiving Stolen Property
- Carrying Weapons on School Property
- Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under the Age of 18
Additional charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
Superintendent Dr. Connie Franklin and school officials praised the quick actions of staff and SROs, highlighting the importance of the school’s weapons detection system, which functioned exactly as intended. “The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority,” Dr. Franklin said. “This incident reinforces the importance of proactive safety measures and the strong partnership we have with law enforcement.”
The school district also encouraged families to maintain conversations with students about the dangers of bringing prohibited items to campus and the importance of reporting concerns to staff or law enforcement.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and working closely with school officials to ensure the incident is fully resolved and appropriate legal actions are taken.
