Handgun Seized at Macedonia Middle School, Student Arrested

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — A student was taken into custody after school administrators discovered a handgun on the campus of Macedonia Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 10, prompting additional security measures amid concerns and unverified information circulating on social media.

According to the Berkeley County School District, administrators received a report Tuesday morning that a student might have a weapon on campus.

School officials, assisted by the school resource officer, immediately investigated the report and confirmed the student had a handgun.

The weapon was confiscated without incident, and no students or staff members were injured.

The school was not placed on lockdown because administrators were able to immediately isolate the student and secure the firearm, district officials said.

Parents and guardians were notified of the incident at approximately 9:30 a.m. through automated phone calls, text messages and emails.

“This incident is now being handled by law enforcement,” school officials stated in the initial communication, adding that all district safety protocols were followed.

Student taken into custody as rumors spread

As information about the incident circulated on social media, Macedonia Middle School Principal Don Walton issued a second communication to families at approximately 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, addressing concerns about campus safety.

According to the district, law enforcement had assessed the circumstances, determined the appropriate charges and taken the individual involved into custody.

The district did not disclose the student’s age, identity or specific charges.

“At this time, there have been no substantiated reports indicating an ongoing threat to campus safety,” the principal’s message stated.

School officials also addressed concerns involving nearby Bonner Elementary School, confirming that no threat to students or staff had been identified at that campus.

Additional security measures implemented

As a precaution, Macedonia Middle School officials announced plans to implement additional security measures Wednesday, Nov. 11, including the use of weapons screeners on campus.

The district emphasized that the measures were being taken out of an abundance of caution rather than in response to a confirmed ongoing threat.

School officials also urged families to avoid spreading unverified claims about the incident on social media.

“We ask for the cooperation and support of our parents, students, and community in refraining from sharing unverified information or secondhand accounts concerning campus safety on social media,” the principal wrote.

Instead, parents and students were encouraged to report safety concerns directly to school administrators or law enforcement so the information could be investigated promptly.

The district reiterated that student and staff safety remains its highest priority.

Authorities have not released additional details about how the student obtained the handgun or whether the firearm was loaded.

The post Handgun Seized at Macedonia Middle School, Student Arrested first appeared on The Berkeley Observer.