A Caledonia High School student arrested after authorities found a handgun at his home was also in possession of an old bullet resistant vest and a “small amount” of ammunition, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The juvenile, whose identity has not been released because his case is in Lowndes County Youth Court, was taken out of school and arrested for possession of a weapon by a minor on Jan. 31 after Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office received reports from community members concerned about the student. At the time of the arrest, investigators and Lowndes County School District Superintendent Lynn Wright said they never found the student had a firearm at the school.
However, investigators did find the firearm and ammunition in the student’s room at home, which they searched with parental permission, according to a press release LCSO Chief Deputy Marc Miley issued.
The firearm investigators found was previously in the possession of a former deputy and should have been logged into evidence about a decade ago, the release said. However, the gun was not logged properly. Investigators are working on putting together a prosecutorial case against the former officer for the District Attorney’s Office.
Counselors told investigators they had been working with the student “for a while,” the press release said. They were concerned about changes in his behavior and mood, and they thought he was a victim of bullying. But he would never give counselors names or details, nor did he want them to speak to other students.
The school resource officer reported “suspicious behavior” from the student, prompting LCSO investigators to speak with school counselors. The press release also said students had raised concerns and that a parent showed investigators the social media posts the juvenile made of himself shooting firearms.
The juvenile is no longer at school and is awaiting a hearing with LCSD administrators. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
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