Camden High School student charged after police find loaded handgun in book bag

A Camden High School student was charged Wednesday after police found a loaded handgun in his book bag, officials said.

An incident report filed with the Camden Police Department said 18-year-old Johnquevious Dashon-James Johnston, of Camden, was charged with weapon law violations in connection with the incident.

At 11:50 a.m., Camden police received information that a student by the name of “Jay” had a firearm in his possession at the high school. After identifying the student as Johnston, Camden police contacted the high school’s principal regarding the information they had learned.

Police arrived at the school and were escorted to Johnston’s class “to have him and his belongings searched based on the information and for the safety of the school,” the report said.

Police escorted Johnston to the school’s office while searching his bag and found a small, silver handgun with a clip in it located inside of the book bag, the report said.

Officers unloaded the weapon and placed Johnson in custody, the report said.

The report did not say what Johnston’s motives were for having the gun at school.

Johnston was transported to the Kershaw County Detention Center where he was placed on hold for pending charges and warrants against him, the report said.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 11:48 AM.