Press Conference: Gun Safety and Parent Accountability
- Deputy Jamie Burton
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
08/20/26
Sheriff Leon Lott discusses three incidents involving firearms at Richland County schools, parent accountability, and safe gun storage ahead of SMART week.
On August 18, 2026, around 7:30 AM, a student at JP Thomas Elementary reported seeing a 6-year-old child on the school bus with a “BB gun”. School administration notified the School Resource Officer. An AR Pistol, loaded with .300 Blackout rounds, was removed from the 6-year-old’s bag and safely secured.
The child’s mother, Destar Hall (DOB: 7/16/26), was called to the school. It was discovered the firearm was not properly secured by Hall at their residence, leading to her child gaining possession of the firearm. Hall was charged with Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child and transported to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
The same day, August 18th, around 9:00 AM, the School Resource Officer at Richland Northeast High School was notified by a private security officer that a 16-year-old student passed through the metal detector with a firearm in his bag. The firearm, a Glock 19x, holding 17 rounds, was located and secured.
The 16-year-old was charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds and Possession of a Weapon Under 18 and transported to DJJ.
Yesterday, August 19th, just after 1:30 PM, the School Resource Officer at Ridge View High School was notified by a private security officer that a parent, Cassandra McGee (DOB: 9/21/85), passed through the metal detector with a firearm in her purse. The firearm, a loaded Ruger LPC .380 Auto, was located and secured.
McGee was charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds and transported to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
“We have zero tolerance for bringing guns into our schools,” says Sheriff Lott, “they shouldn’t be in students’ backpacks, parents’ bags, and certainly not accessible to 6-year-olds. Adults have the responsibility to know where their guns are and to make sure they are safely secured. If you own a gun, secure it. It’s that simple.”
BeSMART’s SMART week is next week, August 24-28, and raises awareness about secure gun storage. RCSD wants to give gun owners the tools to keep firearms out of the hands of children or criminals. To do this, RCSD is partnering with Prisma Health Richland Hospital to provide free gun locks and lockboxes during SMART week. Anyone can pick up a gun lock or lockbox for free at one of two events next week.
Monday, August 24th, at 2500 Decker Boulevard from 5:00-700 PM or Thursday, August 27th, at RCSD Region 1 Substation (2615 Lower Richland Boulevard) from 5:00-7:00 PM. Again, gun locks and lockboxes will be available for FREE while supplies last.
Press Conference video:
View the slides shown at the Press Conference here:
