CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department held a news conference Friday afternoon to address “recent school incidents and roles in school safety.”
Captain Brian Sanders said there had been several incidents of violence at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in the first few days of students returning to classes.
CMPD said that at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, officers were informed that a student had been robbed by another student at Mallard Creek High School. Shortly after, a CMS employee found the juvenile suspect, and police determined he had a knife, stolen firearm, and marijuana on him.
Officers said the student was charged with common law robbery, possession of controlled substance, possession of stolen firearm, possession of concealed weapon, and two other felony weapons charges.
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— Elsa Gillis (@ElsaWSOC9) August 27, 2021
-3 handguns recovered from student's car in parking lot of West Charlotte High, one student was arrested
-Due to these incidents, there is increased law enforcement on certain campuses today/police presence at select football games tonight
Around the same time on Thursday, authorities said they got a tip for West Mecklenburg High School about a student who had a firearm. School administration were able to find the student. After searching him, they found a BB gun modeled after a Glock 9.
The juvenile student was charged with possession of a weapon at school.
Sanders also said officers responded to reports of an armed person at West Charlotte High School just before 8:30 a.m. Friday. Police said they saw a gun inside a student’s vehicle in the student parking lot. After searching the vehicle, officers found a total of three firearms.
The student was arrested and charged with possession of weapon at school, possession of stolen goods, possession of a handgun by a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.
According to CMPD, there have also been several fights at Harding High School, involving two groups of students. Officers said no weapons were involved and no one was seriously hurt, but that two students were arrested and charged. Several other students were suspended from the school.
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.
(WATCH BELOW: CMPD spreads out to school zones on first day back to class)
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