Jefferson County, TN- Thursday around 10:40 AM, a lockdown was instituted at Rush Strong School after a student reported seeing a gun in another student’s backpack. Within minutes, administrators and the SRO found the student, as well as the gun; the student was removed from the classroom to a secure location, and the gun was confiscated from the student’s backpack. The SRO determined that the gun was a pellet gun. At no time was any student or staff hurt or in immediate danger.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office states, “We are thankful for the student who reported the suspicious activity, as well as the staff and students of Rush Strong who immediately implemented their safety plan.”

The 13-year-old male was charged with threats of mass destruction on school property and is currently being held at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center in Knoxville.

(Photo credit: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)