CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two students were charged after two weapon-related incidents that happened Monday relating to Myers Park High School in south Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials said.
In one case involving social media, 18-year-old student Arturo Ruiz Vizcainio was seen with a weapon in a classroom. He was charged with possession of a firearm on educational property, CMPD said. That weapon was not recovered on campus.
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In the second case, a 15-year-old student posted a video holding a weapon in a car off campus, CMS said.
The school was placed on lockdown Monday after reports of a weapon on campus.
Police do not think the two are connected. There were no direct threats to anyone at the school.
“Anytime there is a gun that is mentioned or may have been on campus, it is cause for great concern,” said CMS Chief Communications Officer Tracy Russ.
Russ said those incidents are why CMS is stepping up its security measures to include random wanding of students and backpack searches.
“We certainly understand families that have those concerns,” Russ said. “We share them. We want to continue to do everything we can to keep students and staff safe on our campuses.
No further information has been released.
Return to this story for updates.
Full statement from Myers Park High School:
"Good Afternoon MPHS families, this is Principal Mark Bosco calling with an update regarding yesterday's lockdown. After a thorough investigation, consequences have been levied according to the CMS Student Code of Conduct. According to law enforcement, suspects are in custody and the investigation continues. In one case, a student had a weapon on campus and in another, a student posted a video of herself holding weapons in a car off campus.
CMPD does not feel the incidences were connected nor was there a direct threat to anyone at school. We are continuing work through feedback from the lockdown and will make necessary adjustments with protocols and staff responses.
Additionally, we will work with students to increase preparedness and vigilance while processing the trauma of the lockdown experience.
We will certainly spend some time over the next few days to talk with our students about “see something, say something”, school safety and responding to emergencies, and I hope you can reinforce this at home as well. School safety is my number 1 priority and I need the help of staff, students and parents to make this happen. As always, please contact me with any comments, questions or concerns at 980-343-5800."
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