Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today that a 14 year old male student was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon on school grounds and unlawful carrying of a pistol.

At approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, March 8, 2010 a student at Blythewood Academy witnessed a male juvenile with a handgun in his waistband. The student notified a teacher and the teacher immediately notified officials and their School Resource Officer that a fellow student had a handgun. The Richland County School Resource Officer retrieved the gun after the male juvenile took it from his waistband and placed it on the floor. The suspect was apprehended without incident and has been transported to the juvenile facility at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Sheriff Lott stated that this was an unfortunate incident but applauds the bravery of the student that reported the incident to the appropriate officials. The Sheriff emphasized that this incident displays the importance of having a School Resource Officer in each school; they protect the well being of our students.

Students are encouraged to continue reporting crime because they can report the information without anyone ever knowing that they reported it; it serves as one additional tool to further keep our schools safe. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that Student Crimestoppers allows students to receive cash for information that leads to the arrest of anyone responsible for a crime or for information leading to a weapon being seized. Students should call, email or text their anonymous tip to 1-888-crimesc, www.sccrimestoppers.com or, “TIPSC plus your message” to CRIMES (274637).