A student had a gun on campus at King’s Fork High School on Tuesday, according to a city press release.

Police responded to the school after being alerted by administrators about a “student believed to be in possession of a firearm while on the school campus,” the press release stated.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the 15-year-old male student had a handgun in his possession while at the school, the press release from city spokesman Tim Kelley stated.

“There were no specific threats related to the weapon on the school campus,” Kelley wrote.

Police took the student into custody, and petitions were obtained for possess/transport a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of firearm on school property and underage possession of a firearm.

A detention order was issued, and the subject is being transported to Tidewater Detention Home in Chesapeake, the press release stated.

School division spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw said the 15-year-old was a King’s Fork High School student.
King’s Fork High School Principal Dr. Ronald Leigh sent an electronic message via the PeachJar system as well as a recorded message at 5:30 p.m., Bradshaw said in an email.

“This afternoon, my administration received information that a student may have brought a gun to school,” Leigh wrote. “The Suffolk Police Department was immediately notified. Upon receiving this information, that student was promptly searched by two administrators and the School Resource Officer. A search of the student produced a gun. Because possession of this item is a violation of School Board policy, the student has been recommended for expulsion.”

Leigh’s letter continued, “We appreciate that our students feel comfortable in bringing safety concerns to our attention. Please discuss with your child the importance of notifying a teacher, administrator or staff member when he/she knows of a situation that could threaten student safety.”

Bradshaw said that metal detectors are not used at all schools on a regular basis. Free-standing, walk-through metal detectors are used for events like football and basketball games, and schools have hand-held metal detectors that are used on a random basis. A certain number of random checks are required throughout the school year, Bradshaw stated.

“If there is a concern or specific threat to the school, all students might be required to go through the metal detector when they arrive at school, but that’s rare,” Bradshaw stated in an email.

The incident remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.