A Northwood High School student brought a firearm to campus on Wednesday and made threats to the community’s safety, according to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

An alert from the office on Friday detailed investigator’s response to the incident, which included seizing the gun and taking out a juvenile petition for charges. The release said the sheriff’s office was alerted on Wednesday that a 14-year-old student showed the firearm to another student at the school and made comments threatening “to carry out a shooting on school premises.”

Sheriff’s deputies then visited the student’s residence and seized the firearm, according to Friday’s release. Because the student is a minor, North Carolina law prevents their name from being revealed by law enforcement and the Department of Juvenile Justice will assist in further investigation and any potential punishment.

“The safety of our students is our top priority,” Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said. “We will not tolerate any actions that jeopardize the well-being of our school environment. School safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we urge the public to be vigilant. Tips from the public are essential in helping us maintain a secure environment for our students.”

“Ensuring the safety of every student is our top priority in the Chatham County School system,” said Chatham County Schools’ Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson. “In Chatham County Schools, unsafe and dangerous behaviors will not be tolerated, accepted, or ignored. Students who violate our Code of Civility may face disciplinary consequences, including the possibility of long-term suspension. The creation of a secure environment for all students is non-negotiable for both students and staff.”

In his statement, Jackson also commended Northwood High’s administration and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions to the incident — saying they highlight how safety is “a shared responsibility” by the community.

“We encourage everyone to report any potential threats to school safety promptly to the appropriate authorities,” he added. “Your vigilance is crucial in upholding the well-being of our school community.”

Northwood High School Principal Brad Walston also sent a message directly to the school’s families on Friday afternoon to detail the incident. It read:

Yesterday, Northwood received an anonymous report that a student was in possession of a firearm on Wednesday. School administration immediately reported this information to law enforcement who conducted an investigation overnight. 

I am grateful for the response of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department and the speed in which they investigated this case. Our partnership is indispensable to ensure the safety of every student at Northwood and Chatham County Schools. 

Safety is, and always will be, the top priority at Northwood High School. In moments like this, I want to implore you to speak to your children about school safety, and the importance of telling trusted adults when you see something that seems wrong, or through the Say Something App on the Northwood website. As a school community, we need to all work together to ensure the safety, physical, and mental well-being of our children.

According to Friday’s release, both the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Chatham County Schools district said there are “no additional concerns regarding school safety” following law enforcement’s actions. Extra sheriff’s office staff, however, will be on-site at Northwood High on Friday to provide additional support to the school and ensure safety on its campus.

The incident comes as Northwood High School is finishing out its latest nine-week academic period, with students taking exams on Friday. The end of the nine weeks is Wednesday, January 24 before the Chatham County Schools district has teacher workdays on January 25 and 26.

 

Photo via Jeff Silkstone and the Northwood PTSA.

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