Gun Possession At Hiram High School Leads To Arrest

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — On Friday May 25, 2018 at approximately 9:51 a.m. School Resource Officers with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Hiram High School senior for possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Brian Perry Belin, Jr., 18, was charged with felony possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Paulding County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers constantly monitor social media outlets looking for nefarious activity amongst students. This morning at approximately 9:01 a.m. School Resource Officers observed a photo that had been posted on Brian Perry Belin, Jr.’s Instagram page where he had what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol in his waistband. In light of the numerous tragic incidents at schools across the country, School Resource Officers and school administrators wasted no time in launching an investigation into this incident.

Belin, Jr., who was scheduled to graduate from Hiram High School the next day, was removed from graduation practice and asked about the photograph and the gun by School Resource Officers and administrators. Belin, Jr. told administrators that the gun was inside his vehicle which was parked on campus. When administrators searched Belin, Jr.’s vehicle, they located a loaded semi-automatic pistol that matched the one that was pictured in the Instagram post. Belin, Jr. was subsequently arrested and charged.

School Resource Officers and administrators with the Paulding County School District are still actively investigating this incident. It should be noted that we do not believe that this suspect had any intention of conducting a school shooting at Hiram High School. However, it is uncertain what Belin, Jr. was doing with the pistol on school grounds. It also does not appear that the photograph was taken on school grounds either. This portion of the investigation is ongoing. Belin, Jr. is currently being held without bond in the Paulding County Jail.

If parents or students have any information about this incident or any other incident where school safety is in question, please feel free to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office at (770) 443-3010 or the Paulding County School District at (770) 443-8000.

Photos courtesy Paulding County Sheriff's Office