Gun Found In Backpack At Area High School

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — A Spotsylvania student was charged Thursday after a pistol was found in a backpack at Massaponax High School, according to a news release from the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said the incident happened Thursday after the school resource officer at the high school was alerted by a school administrator about a pistol in a student's book bag. The student had entered the school and was met by an administrator at the entrance, according to the release.

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The administrator directed the student to walk through the school's Evolv weapons detection system as part of school safety procedures, according to the sheriff's office. The system alerted the administrator to a suspicious area on the teen.

The student and the book bag were then searched, and a pistol was found inside a pocket of the backpack, according to the release.

The administrator asked the school resource officer to investigate and arrest the student for possessing a firearm on school property, the sheriff's office said.

Nasir Burke, 18, of Spotsylvania, was charged with felony possession of a firearm on school property, according to the release. Burke was later released by the magistrate on an unsecured bond.

“At this time, there is no indication that there was any intent to do harm at the school,” Lt. Col. Delbert Myrick said.

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The sheriff's office said the case also drew attention to the school's weapons detection system and the administrator's actions during the incident.

“School safety is a shared responsibility, and today’s incident demonstrates the importance of strong safety measures and alert staff in helping keep our schools safe,” Myrick said.

No details were available about Burke's school status, whether he had a lawyer, or when he is due back in court.

Massaponax High School serves families in Spotsylvania County and the Fredericksburg area. The incident remained under investigation based on the information provided on Thursday.