A Bassett High School student was arrested after a firearm was found on school grounds, according to a release from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began to unfold on August 16 around 11:30 a.m., when the staff at Bassett High School learned about the weapon and informed the School Resource Officer (SRO).
The SRO immediately located and detained the student in question.
The weapon was reported by another student, who was shown the gun and told an adult. A search of the juvenile’s backpack yielded a loaded 9mm pistol.
A 16-year-old male from Collinsville was charged with possession of a firearm on school property – a felony, possession of a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm under the age of 18. The boy is being held in the W.W. Moore Juvenile Detention Facility in Danville.
Authorities praise the student who reported the firearm to school faculty.
“The actions of the student who reported this are commendable and allowed Henry County Sheriff’s Office School Resources Officers and BHS staff to act quickly and ensure the school campus remained safe,” the release stated.
The Sheriff’s Office urges parents to speak to their children about the importance of reporting any safety concerns to school staff, a School Resource Officer, or 911.
“If you see something, say something,” authorities said in the release.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2,500 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information provided determine the amount of any reward.
