From the Blount County Sheriff’s Office:

Maryville, Tennessee- A 13-year-old student at Heritage Middle School has been taken into custody after bringing a firearm onto school grounds, according to Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong.

The juvenile is facing charges of delinquent by carrying a weapon on school property and is currently being held at the Blount County Juvenile Detention Facility, pending a hearing in juvenile court within 72 hours.

School Resource Officers (SROs) at Heritage Middle School received a tip that the student may have been in possession of a firearm in their backpack. The SROs promptly responded and located the student, as well as the firearm.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

“The Sheriff’s Office takes reports of this nature seriously and responds promptly,” Sheriff Berrong stated. “Receiving this information is a direct result of the relationships our SROs have established with students in their schools. We are fortunate that the situation was resolved quickly.”

The boy is charged with delinquent by carrying weapons on school property. He is being held at the Blount County Juvenile Detention Facility owning a hearing in juvenile court within 72 hours.

SRO’s at Heritage Middle School received information that the student may possibly have a gun in his backpack. The SROs acted immediately and located the student and his backpack and found the gun. The investigation is continuing and additional charges could be forthcoming.

“The Sheriff’s Office takes tips of this magnitude seriously and deputies follow up immediately,” Sheriff Berrong said. “Receiving this information is a direct result of the relationships that our SROs have built with the students in their schools. We are thankful that SROs identified the student so quickly.”