BATAVIA, Ohio — A student was arrested after bringing a gun and ammunition into West Clermont High School Monday morning, Union Township police said.
Superintendent Natasha L. Adams said a student reported to school administration that another student had a bullet in their possession. School leadership "immediately" isolated the student and found a weapon during a search, Adams said.
While there was no verbal, written or physical threat made toward any student or staff member, Adams said "it did not and does not impact the seriousness with how we are handling this incident."
Still, some students said they were concerned no lockdown order was issued after hearing initial reports.
"I heard someone had a gun in the school," junior Nathan Woodall said. "I was confused why we weren't on lockdown. Blown away. Made me nervous a little bit until I found out more information about the situation."
A school resource officer with Union Township police secured the weapon and ammunition. The student was taken into custody and charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor. The student is being held at the Clermont County Juvenile Detention Center.
"This shouldn't make a difference at the way people look at West Clermont," junior Landen Earley said. We're a big school. Stuff happens. I think it was handled in a decently good way by the administration, by at least telling the students instead of not telling the students so they don't freak out."
Adams said parents should encourage their children to tell an adult if they hear about a possible weapon at school.
"Saying something when you see something truly makes a difference—and it likely helped prevent today's incident from escalating," Adams said.
The new West Clermont High School opened in 2017. More than 2,000 students are enrolled at the school. It is a part of the West Clermont Local School District, which serves Batavia, Amelia and Withamsville.
RELATED
West Clermont High School brings together Amelia and Glen Este
As new West Clermont High School takes shape, district's transition plan also begins to take shape
