Barnes said staff notified law enforcement quickly — and they were able to recover the weapon.
The student is not being named because they are under 18.
Barnes wrote in a press release, “The safety and well-being of everyone in our schools is always our highest priority. We are deeply committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment where students can focus on learning. Weapons and violence that put our students and staff at risk cannot be tolerated. Weapons, Violence, or other disruptions to the educational opportunities of our students will not be tolerated, and those involved will be removed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
He said he would work with law enforcement and community partners to determine how to prevent these situations from happening.
Barnes also asked parents of NHCS students to talk to them about the importance of reporting incidents and information quickly using the Sandy Hook Promise tool (both website and app).
Below: The full statement from NHCS.
Dear New Hanover County Schools Community,
This afternoon, during dismissal at Hoggard High School, staff became aware of a serious situation involving a student who had a weapon. Our staff acted quickly, notifying the on-campus School Resource Officer from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. The officer immediately responded, safely detaining the student, and a firearm was recovered.
Because the student involved is under 18, there are limits to the information we can provide, but please be assured that the situation was handled swiftly and efficiently in order to maintain safety.
The safety and well-being of everyone in our schools is always our highest priority. We are deeply committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment where students can focus on learning. Weapons and violence that put our students and staff at risk cannot be tolerated. Weapons, Violence, or other disruptions to the educational opportunities of our students will not be tolerated and those involved will be removed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
As Interim Superintendent, I believe it is essential to maintain a nurturing, secure space for every student in New Hanover County. We believe that a strong partnership with our community, our elected officials and law enforcement is essential to safeguarding our students and ensuring their success. I will be looking to coordinate in more detail with our law enforcement and community partners to determine what we can do to address these situations in a more comprehensive manner.
I want to express my gratitude for the quick actions of our staff and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. New Hanover County Schools is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. I know that this causes concern for all families, students and staff. I encourage you as parents to talk to your students about the importance of reporting incidents and information in a timely manner, and as a reminder, if you see something, please say something. https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/say-something-tips/
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Christopher R. Barnes, Ed.D
Interim Superintendent
New Hanover County Schools