WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Loaded Gun, Knife Found On Hardaway H. S. Student

Loaded Gun, Knife Found On Hardaway H. S. Student

It was the quick thinking of one student who informed the principal a classmate was walking around with a loaded gun and knife.

"The situation was immediately handled investigated and is over,"says Dr. Robin Pennock, Deputy Superintendent.

Reports say a 17 year old junior was showing the weapons off to other students.  The 3-80 caliber gun was fully loaded.  The knife had a two and a half inch blade.

There is no word yet on what that student's intent was -- but administrators say the incident comes as no surprise.

"I've been a school administrator for a long time we all see national news. I think unfortunately we are no longer shocked but we are always concerned,"says Pennock.

Many parents echo that same sentiment.

"It concerns me. Whats the next step. They can't carry backpacks so are they going to put some kind of sensor up to the door? How are they going to stop them next time,"questions one parent.

Later in the day a 16 year old freshman was also taken into custody. Police say it turns out the gun belonged to him.

Other students hope the actions of a few won't give hardaway a bad name.

"I honestly think its kina crazy cuz after today hardaway is going to have a pretty bad rep,"says Jermonique Ellis, a Hardaway Sophomore.

School officials sent home a letter to all parents letting them know what happened.

Today's discovery comes just two weeks after a 6 year old was found with a 7 inch knife while on a Muscogee County school bus.

This makes four instances of weapons being found at school in muscogee county.

Administrators say the two students only had minor offences prior to this incident.

The 16 year old is being handled by the youth detention services and the 17 year old is being handled by the Columbus Police Department.  Both face expulsion and both are charged with two counts of possession of a weapon on school property.