LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — Limestone County Schools reported that a student was found with a gun in their backpack at East Limestone High School. The school now joins a growing list of Tennessee Valley schools with "gun on campus" incidents.
LCS administrators released the following statement:
Today, at East Limestone High School, a handgun was found in a student’s backpack. There were no known threats against any students or faculty and all safety protocols were followed without any disruption to the school day. The SRO confiscated the weapon and immediately took the student into custody and transported them to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. The Student Code of Conduct will be enforced and safety is and will continue to be a high priority in Limestone County Schools.
Limestone County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed an arrest was made but had no further comment on the situation.
East Limestone High School now joins the list of local schools that have recently had gun incidents:
- Oct. 5, 2022: McDonnell Elementary, Huntsville City Schools
- Nov. 9. 2022: Hazel Green High School, Madison County Schools
- Jan. 18, 2023: Lee/New Century High School, Huntsville City Schools
- Jan. 18, 2023: Jemison High School, Huntsville City Schools
Following the Jan. 18 incidents, Huntsville City Schools said they were rolling out weapons detection systems throughout the district. They are similar in nature to those found at stadiums and large venues and rotate among the district's campuses. These additional measures complement existing security protocols.
School leaders ask families to check backpacks before their children leave for school each day as an additional safeguard and maintain students should continue to "say something" if they "see something."