MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) Summary: An eighth-grade student at Christiana Middle School was charged Monday after a weapons detection system alerted school staff to a handgun during morning arrival, according to Rutherford County Schools and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. The weapon was found quickly and taken without incident, and authorities said it was partially assembled, unloaded, and not functional. No threats were made, and there was no indication the student intended to harm anyone. The student was charged by the school resource officer, taken to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center, and will also face school discipline. Parents were notified to keep families informed and prevent rumors. School officials credited the weapons detection system and their partnership with law enforcement for resolving the situation safely (Scroll down for more details). 

Full News Story - MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS)  — An eighth-grade student at Christiana Middle School was charged Monday morning after a school weapons detection system alerted administrators to the presence of a handgun during student arrival, according to Rutherford County Schools and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

School officials say the alert occurred during the start of the school day, prompting an immediate response from staff and the school resource officer. The weapon was quickly located and confiscated without incident. Authorities confirmed the handgun was partially assembled, non-functional, and unloaded.

Investigators determined there were no threats made and no indication the student intended to harm anyone. Despite the weapon being inoperable, the student was charged with possession of a handgun by the school resource officer and transported to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center.

In addition to the criminal charge, school officials said the student will face disciplinary action to the fullest extent allowed under district policy.

Rutherford County Schools notified parents following the incident to keep families informed and to prevent the spread of misinformation or rumors.

“We are grateful for the success of our weapons detection system, which was implemented in all Rutherford County schools this year,” Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan said. “We also appreciate our strong partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and the school resource officers, who always react quickly and treat these situations with utmost urgency.”

School officials emphasized that student safety remains the district’s top priority and credited the weapons detection system and coordinated response for ensuring the situation was resolved safely.