A student at Stewarts Creek High School in Rutherford County has been expelled and is facing charges after a loaded handgun was found in a backpack.
Officials with Rutherford County Schools confirmed the incident happened Thursday morning at the school located on Red Hawk Parkway in Smyrna.
The teen’s backpack was searched after another student tipped off authorities.
School officials said the loaded handgun was found and the student was removed from class immediately. That student has been expelled and was facing criminal charges.
“We want to ensure parents that all students are safe and the school followed the safety procedures we have in place for these types of incidents, which are rare,” said James Evans, Communications and Community Relations Coordinator for Rutherford County Schools.
Parents at all three schools were notified of the incident.
The student was not identified.
