MARYVILLE, Tenn. – A 13-year-old student at Heritage Middle School is facing charges after bringing a gun to school on Tuesday. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) confirmed that the teen, whose identity has not been released, was charged with delinquency by carrying a weapon on school property.
According to BCSO officials, the student is currently in custody at the Blount County Juvenile Detention Facility. In addition to the charge related to carrying the weapon, the student may face additional charges as the investigation continues.
Sheriff James Lee Berrong expressed the seriousness with which the department handles such incidents, stating, “The Sheriff’s Office takes reports of this nature seriously and responds promptly. Receiving this information is a direct result of the relationships our School Resource Officers (SROs) have established with students in their schools. We are fortunate that the situation was resolved quickly.”
The situation unfolded when a Heritage Middle School SRO received a tip from a student indicating that the 13-year-old had a firearm in their backpack. Acting on the information, the SRO was able to locate the weapon and take the student into custody without incident.
Blount County authorities have emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication between students, faculty, and law enforcement to ensure the safety of everyone in the school environment. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details may emerge in the coming days.
At this time, school officials have not commented further on the specifics of the student’s motives or whether the gun was intended for use on school grounds. However, the swift action of the SRO and the cooperation of the school community are credited with averting a potentially dangerous situation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that school resource officers play in maintaining safety on school campuses and the need for vigilance in identifying potential threats.
