Gun found in student’s belongings at Atlanta

A press release was issued Monday, February 10, 2020, from Superintendent Sidney Harrist after an Atlanta High School Assistant Principal received a report that an AlSD student had a gun on campus. According to the report, the Assistant Principal immediately notified the AlSD Police Department of the account. A search of the student in question and his belongings was then conducted by the AlSD Police Department. The student was placed under arrest after his possession of a gun on campus was confirmed.

“It is important for everyone to know that based on the facts currently known to the AlSD Administration and the AlSD Police Department, the student in question is believed to have been acting alone and that no other students were involved,” reported Harrist.

“Report of this incident has been made to both the City of Atlanta Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff ’s Office. AlSD will fully cooperate with any further investigation that might be conducted by law enforcement. There is currently no threat of imminent harm to AlSD students. The student in question has been removed from campus and is in police custody.”

Also in the release, Harrist noted, “AlSD assures its students, parents, community members, and staff that we have made, and will continue to make, every effort to ensure that our schools are safe and secure. The courage of the student who made the report and the prompt response to that report by the Atlanta High School Administration and the AlSD Police Department have been essential to the success of those efforts on this occasion. We cannot thank any of them enough. A safe and secure educational environment will be maintained if we all continue to work together, just like what happened today.”

Harrist explained in a phone call with the Journal that they are proud of the student that reported the incident.

They have instituted a program called See Something, Say Something, and this action falls in line with what they are hoping to teach students to do when there is something that seems not right.

When Harrist was asked about the motive and whether the students were in danger, he responded that the incident was still under investigation.

All questions about the incident are being taken by Superintendent Harrist at the administration building.