(Article has been updated to include student’s name and booking photo.)
Grovetown High School experienced two disruptions on Thursday, Dec. 1 – one involving a local law enforcement investigation, according to press releases from Columbia County School District.
As a result of an initial report to an administrator regarding a student consuming alcohol on campus, further investigation led to the recovery of a pocket knife and “possible drug-related items.”
The items were immediately confiscated from the student, Bradley Cornell Fairchild, and he has been charged by Columbia County School District Police with alcohol possession and bringing a weapon to school, the press release said.
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No direct threat was made to the school, and the individual responsible will be accountable to the Code of Conduct and has been removed from campus, the district’s email read.
Parents were asked to talk with their children “the dangers of drugs and alcohol,” and how bringing these prohibited items to school would result in serious repercussions.
Investigation of the incident continues, and no further details of the case have been released yet.
On the same day, parents were alerted of a brief 10-minute lockdown of the high school, Columbia Middle and Baker Place Elementary while law enforcement “completed an investigation in a nearby neighborhood.” This caused a slight delay in school bus departures from the elementary school.
The school day will continue as normal on Friday, Dec. 2. Suspicious behavior can be reported to administration or by calling the Columbia County School District anonymous tip hotline at (706) 541-3600.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
