Student taken into custody after principal spots gun in back of truck

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Union County deputies have arrested a teen after an incident at Sun Valley High School Wednesday morning prompted lockdowns at several Union County schools.

Just after 8 a.m., Sun Valley High School tweeted "Due to activity in the neighborhood, SVHS is currently on lockdown mode. All students are safe and located in locked classrooms."

This all started when a student cut the line in the student parking lot at Sun Valley High School. When the principal went to talk to the student, he noticed a long gun in the truck.

“He asked him what that was, at which time the student uttered a comment, and drove around the principal and drove over the curbing and the median and exited onto Old Charlotte Highway traveling west. The school was immediately put on lockdown,” Tony Underwood with the Union County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies said the student sped off, and they continued to look for him after the lockdown was lifted just before 9 a.m.

"His behavior after he was confronted when he drove over the curbing would suggest he was trying to get away from something," Underwood said.

This prompted lockdowns at nearby middle schools and elementary schools as well. The Union County Sheriff's Office told Channel 9 there was no specific threat to the schools.

After the student was taken into custody around 10:30 a.m., deputies said they were able to find and secure the gun.

The 18-year-old student was taken to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, where he’ll be questioned by deputies. His name has not been released.

The student’s mother spoke to Channel 9 off-camera. She described the situation as a mistake. She said her son is a good kid and simply forgot he had his shotgun in his vehicle and panicked.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.

Cox Media Group