Student suspended after bringing gun to school

The Chattanooga Police Department arrested a seventh grade Orchard Knob Middle School student Thursday after an incident involving shots fired in the community after dismissal Monday afternoon, according to a news release issued by the Hamilton County Department of Education.

After receiving notification of the incident Tuesday morning, the principal immediately locked down the school and conducted a thorough search of all lockers and property. No weapons were found.

Working in conjunction with Chattanooga police, school administrators spoke with both students and adults about the incident.

In speaking to this student, school staff learned Thursday that the student had brought the weapon to school Monday and hid it in his locker. The school did not have knowledge of the weapon until Thursday.

The student was suspended from school pending the outcome of an investigation and hearing, per the board’s zero tolerance policy.

In a statement, the school system said safety of students is a primary concern.

“We work with our students, faculty and community each day to maintain safe and positive learning environments at each campus,” it reads. “By fostering positive relationships with students, we are able to work cooperatively to identify when a threat has been posed to our students and staff. This system, which helped us in this incident, enables us to maintain a positive learning environment while protecting the safety of our students each day.”