Two armed students were detained at SC high school placed on lockdown, officials say
White Knoll High School in Lexington County had been on lockdown for roughly an hour and a half Monday after two students were found with weapons, officials said.
A male student had a gun, and he was found with a female student who had a knife, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department said.
No injuries were reported.
At 2:30, White Knoll was placed on lockdown, which lasted until just before 4 p.m., Lexington 1 school district spokeswoman Kathryn McPhail told The State.
Students reported to staff that there was a male student armed with a gun, and law enforcement was notified, White Knoll Principal Ted Daughtrey said in a letter to parents.
During a search for the student, the school was placed on lockdown, resulting in all other students and staff being locked inside classrooms and offices for their safety, Daughtrey said.
At about 3:30 p.m., law enforcement caught the student outside the school, but still on campus. He was detained without incident, according to Daughtrey.
When the male student was tracked down, the female student with a knife was also found with him, Daughtrey said.
She was also detained and both students will face criminal charges, but the specific counts were still being determined as the incident continues to be investigated, according to the sheriff’s department.
Additionally, both students were immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion, Daughtrey said.
The names of the students that were detained were not made public.
”Though this is an alarming situation, I am proud of the students who came forward to report this incident. ... Because of these students, as well as the swift action of our WKHS staff and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, we are all safe tonight,” Daughtrey said in the letter. “I encourage our students to always tell a staff member if they hear about or witness any threat to our safety. We take all reports seriously.”
The school district said it encourages anyone with safety concerns to report them immediately, and they can make a report by calling or texting 803-636-8317. Concerns can also be shared with CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
“This is a case of the system working,” Sheriff Jay Koon said in a statement. “Students spoke up and told administrators what they heard. Because they did the right thing, we worked together to make sure teachers, staff, and students remained safe, and the day ended peacefully.”
This story was originally published November 29, 2021 at 4:15 PM.
