POLICE: two guns found on Student arrested at Brainerd High School

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools Spokesperson Tim Hensley said it happened around dismissal on Friday.

He said a student was in the parking lot with a group of students when an SRO saw the kid drop a gun.

“We are appreciative of our SRO, and they do a great job and in this case being really observant, being out in the parking lot, seeing what’s happening, and he moved in took care of the situation, took the student into custody,” Hensley said.

Hensley said the student was not at school during the day and was going to a night program.

Authorities said they also found a second gun from the student.

Brainerd High School has a number of security features.

In an addition to one SRO, they also have metal detectors that can be used to help stop potentially dangerous situations.

“They do use metal detectors at the school and that’s part of our safety program at that school and several of our others that, across the district, that are a part of the safety program, not necessarily one that you walk through when you come in, but they have the handheld scanners and things,” Hensley said.

According to board policy, bringing a firearm to school grounds is considered a zero tolerance offense.

Any student who brings one to school shall be expelled for at least a year and the director of schools can use discretion to modify the expulsion on a “case-by-case basis.”

“Legal issues take precedence and those will take place first and the student and family will have to deal with those and afterward there will be certainly consequences within the school district and those will be handled in accordance with board policy. Definitely in these cases where you deal with a weapon in school,” Hensley said.

No one was hurt in the incident.

As for the student, authorities said he now faces charges of Possession of a firearm on school property, Aggravated Assault, Disorderly Conduct, & Reckless Endangerment.