ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Students are back at Conyers Middle School a day after a student fired a gun inside a bathroom. But they are now banned from carrying a school staple: book bags.
Channel 2 Action News was the first to break in to programming Tuesday with the breaking news around 1:30 p.m. just after receiving information about the shooting.
The school was placed on lockdown for hours after a 14-year-old student fired one shot inside the school's bathroom. Police said the boy did not fire the gun at anyone nor intended to harm anyone. No one was injured.
Deputies said he found his father’s .40 caliber, semi-automatic gun and brought it to school.
The eighth grade student is now charged with possession of a firearm by a minor. He is being held at the Rockdale County Youth Detention Center.
The Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington that charges against the parents of the student are not likely.
“We don’t foresee any charges at this time, but it could change,” said Levett.
Rockdale County Public Schools said they are taking extra security measures for the remainder of the school year. Book bags are no longer allowed, and any that are brought to school will be searched by school officials.
Parents told Channel 2’s Audrey Washington that they believe the book bag rule will help make the school safer.
“It’s a good idea, excellent,” said Juana Rivera, whose child attends Conyers Middle School.
Other parents said they want to see a more permanent solution, beginning with metal detectors.
“It would seem that it would be necessary,” said parent Stanley Laugure.
Levett disagreed.
“I don’t believe that it is necessary here at Rockdale County Schools, but that is a call for the school system to make,” said Levett.
In the meantime, security measures are stepped up at the school, as a precaution.
WSBTV
