A student at Laney High School was caught Monday with a gun in his backpack, authorities said.
Derrick Tyler Barnes, 18, of Oak Street, Augusta, was charged with weapon in school building, grounds or functions, a felony. He was taken to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center, where he was being held Monday evening under no bond.
Principal Cordaryl C. Middleton told parents in a letter that a student reported to school staff that a classmate had a weapon on campus.
“The student was identified and school administrators and a Richmond County School System Police Officer walked the student to an unoccupied room where a search was conducted,” Dr. Middleton said. “A loaded handgun was located in the student’s bookbag. During the investigation, movement was restricted inside the building for a brief time.”
Out of an abundance of caution, additional police officers responded to campus and remained throughout the day, the principal said.
