A student at Franklin County High School was taken into custody Tuesday morning after a handgun was discovered on campus, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The school was placed under a precautionary “shelter in place” order for approximately 30 minutes while law enforcement conducted a swift investigation. The situation unfolded quickly and was handled without incident, according to a message sent out by Franklin County Public Schools to parents and guardians.
“Franklin County High School entered into a ‘shelter in place’ stance for approximately thirty minutes this morning to allow for a police investigation after a handgun was discovered on campus. A student was taken into custody, and there will be an increased police presence at the school for the remainder of the day,” the statement read.
The district also expressed gratitude to local law enforcement, including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Rocky Mount Police Department, for their rapid and professional response to the incident.
School officials reassured the community that the safety of students and staff remains the top priority and that all proper protocols were followed.
At this time, no injuries have been reported, and authorities have not released further details about the student or how the weapon was brought onto school grounds. The investigation is ongoing.
Check back for updates as more information becomes available.