Campbell Co. student arrested for loaded gun at high school

Campbell Co. student arrested for loaded gun at high school

JACKSBORO (WATE) -- A 16-year-old male student at Campbell County Comprehensive High School was arrested Tuesday after a loaded handgun was found on campus, according to the director of schools.

The student's name hasn't been released. He's suspended indefinitely.

An assistant principal found the gun around 10:00 a.m. in an empty locker after a tip from a female student whose locker was next door.

Schools Director Dr. Michael Martin said officers from the LaFollette Police Department and the Campbell County Sheriff's Department were called to the school and their investigation led to the student's arrest. 

Dr. Martin said the 16-year-old student, "...admitted he had brought it. I don't know that he admitted it was his, but he admitted that he brought it."

He also said the student had never been in trouble before.

The school wasn't put on lockdown since police had the weapon.

Dr. Martin said he's glad the school's policies and procedures worked correctly, and that students and staff are taking these situations seriously.

"The seriousness is of large magnitude for this community and therefore the response is pretty quick," Dr. Martin said. "I'm thankful that no one was hurt. No one was shot."

The teen was arrested for carrying a firearm on school property and taken to the juvenile detention center in Knox County. Officials said the teen will be taken back to Campbell County for his arraignment, but the date hasn't been set.

Campbell County Schools' Zero Tolerance Committee will meet early next week to decide what happens to the student. It's made up primarily of central office staff.

Campbell County Sheriff Gary Perkins won't say why the student had the gun, but believes he didn't intend to hurt anyone.

The high school was the scene of a deadly shooting by Kenny Bartley, Jr. on November 8, 2005. Assistant Principal Ken Bruce was killed and Principal Gary Seale and Assistant Principal Jim Pierce were wounded. 

Bartley pleaded guilty in April 2007 to the second degree murder of Bruce and two counts of attempted second degree murder for Seale and Pierce.

Bartley has since fought to retract his plea, but his attempts have been denied. He's serving a 45 year sentence, with a chance for parole in 25.