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Teen Charged After Loaded Gun Found at C.A. Johnson High

By August 31, 2022Press Releases
A Columbia Police Department (CPD) School Resource Officer (SRO) has arrested a 17-year-old male accused of bringing a loaded gun to a high school.
 
Police Chief W. H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook announces, the 17-year-old is charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol, Carrying a Weapon on School Property, and Possession of a Weapon by Person under 18. The suspect was taken to the juvenile section of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC).
 
At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, a school administrator at C.A. Johnson High (2219 Barhamville Road) received information that a student possessed a loaded gun on campus. In turn, the administrator immediately reported the information to the CPD SRO. After locating the student in a classroom, the gun was found inside the teen’s book bag.
 
The SRO seized the gun and properly secured it for additional safety reasons. CPD is continuing to determine the origin of the firearm. There were no reports of threats made by the teen suspect. CPD is working with Richland One School District regarding the investigation.
 
As part of CPD’s continuing anti-gun violence initiative, free gunlocks are available to the public through the ‘Lock It Up Columbia’ partnership with the City of Columbia.
 
As a reminder, here are safety tips to encourage safe storage of firearms:
 
• Store unloaded firearms in a locked box/case/safe/gun cabinet with a gunlock.
• Never store ammunition in the same place as the firearm.
• Never store keys to a gunlock, box, case, etc. in the same place as the firearm.
• Talk to children & family members about the dangers of firearms in the wrong hands.
• Avoid ‘hiding’ firearms in hard-to-reach places away from children/vulnerable adults. Children especially can climb for access.
 
All persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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