Student With Gun Incident Resolved At Alexandria City High School

ALEXANDRIA, VA — After a teacher reported a student with a gun at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, the incident was resolved Monday morning.

Executive Principal Peter Balas told families a teacher reported around 9 a.m. that a student had a weapon. Administrators quickly responded and confirmed an unloaded gun was present. The school was placed in "secure the building status," which means the normal school day continued, but no one could enter or leave the school.

According to Balas, the gun was "immediately secured. Alexandria Police responded to the scene, working with safety and security staff to investigate with the involved student.

The secure the building status was lifted at 10:29 a.m. when the investigation was complete. According to the Washington Post, a 14-year-old was charged with gun possession on school property.

The incident comes as metal detector technology to screen weapons is being considered by Alexandria City Public Schools. The pilot program would run at Alexandria City High School's King Street and Minnie Howard campuses, George Washington Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School. A public survey is open through March 8 before the School Board makes a decision on proceeding with the pilot program in March. Under the anticipated timeline, the launch of the weapons screening program would happen in May if approved.