COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County deputies have charged a 14-year-old who they say brought a knife to Blythewood High School Monday.
Deputies said they arrested the teen after they were informed that the juvenile brought a four-inch knife on school grounds.
According to deputies, around 8:30 a.m. a school resource officer at Blythewood High was told by school administrators that the teen had a knife in their book bag. The sheriff's department said a metal detector had gone off alerting the third party security firm at the school that the teen had the weapon while the student attempted to pass through a security checkpoint.
The teen was then brought to the school administrator who confirmed the knife was in the bag. The school resource officer then took the knife and contacted the student's parents.
The teen was charged with carrying weapons on school property and was released to the custody of their parents.
The following message was sent to parents of Blythewood High students regarding the incident:
"I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to inform you of an incident that occurred during our routine safety screenings this morning.
"Our security staff successfully intercepted a knife in a student's bag, preventing it from entering our school premises. While this news may be concerning, I want to assure you that our safety protocols functioned precisely as intended, demonstrating their effectiveness in maintaining a secure learning environment.
"We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and following all established procedures. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and today's event underscores the importance of our security measures.
"I understand you may have questions or concerns regarding this incident. Our administrative team and I are available to address any inquiries you may have. We value open communication with our school community and are committed to maintaining Blythewood High School as a safe haven for education.
"Thank you for your continued support and trust in our safety efforts. Together, we can ensure a secure and nurturing environment for our students to thrive."