Updated: Gun, ammunition found in a student’s vehicle at a Lexington high school
A student has been charged after a gun was found inside a vehicle at Frederick Douglass High School Thursday, Fayette County Public Schools Police said.
In a letter sent to families from Principal Lester Diaz, he said the firearm was discovered inside a student’s vehicle parked on the campus.
“I’m writing to make you aware that a firearm was discovered inside a student’s vehicle parked on our campus,” Diaz said in the letter. “Fayette County Public Schools Police were patrolling school grounds, which is a routine procedure. Officers noticed something suspicious inside a vehicle parked on campus that warranted further investigation.
“After working with the school administration to locate the driver of the vehicle, our FCPS Police Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered a firearm inside.”
The student was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon on school property and possession of drug paraphernalia, Diaz said in his letter.
“Additionally, in accordance with the student code of conduct, due process will be followed and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,” Diaz wrote.
FCPS Police Chief Martin Schafer said officers were patrolling the parking lot when they noticed suspected drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The gun was later found during the investigation.
The school didn’t go into lockdown during the incident, Diaz said.
“Our safety plan today worked to perfection,” Diaz said. “There was never a threat to the building envelope at any point. Our law enforcement officers are top notch. Our administrative team is second to none.”
Diaz said in his letter this was an opportunity to remind students that situations such as this are extremely dangerous.
“Students and parents should both understand that making threats against a school or bringing a weapon onto school property is a felony under state law,” Diaz wrote.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Reporter Taylor Six contributed to this story.
