2 Guns Found At Separate Green Country Schools, Students Detained

The same day a school shooting claimed four lives at a high school in Atlanta, Georgia, two guns were found on two separate Green Country high school campuses — one at Union High School and another at Sapulpa High School. Both students were detained, and no one was injured.

Parents told News On 6 off-camera that they are pleased with how Union High School handled the situation and still feel safe sending their children to school. They believe it is the responsibility of parents to talk to their kids and store guns securely.

Union Public Schools said a teacher overheard a junior telling another student during class that he had a gun.

“Glad nothing happened here today,” said Malaiah Glover, an eighth grader at Union Public Schools.

Glover said hearing about the incident makes her nervous for high school next year, but she believes the school acted appropriately.

"They handled it well by like taking him out because he could have done anything. You never know," Glover said.

Union Public Schools Communications Officer Chris Payne said the teacher reported the comment to security, who searched the student’s backpack and found a gun. The school then reported the incident to the police.

"He will face, of course, face some consequences for doing that," Payne said.

At Sapulpa High School, administrators received a tip that a student had a gun in his car. The school’s resource officer removed the student from class and found the gun. Both districts say it's important for kids who see something, to say something.

"Students and teachers just be alert to your surroundings be alert when you hear things like that don't be afraid to report something, if you hear something that's concerning, report it," said Payne. 

No threats were made at either school.

Payne said situations like this serve as a reminder for parents to secure guns in their homes.

“We don’t know where this particular weapon came from, but I think this is a good warning to parents,” he said.

He says Union is always improving their safety procedures, and he says they will evaluate Wednesday's situation.

Both students could face school discipline and criminal charges.

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The following message was sent to UPS parents on Wednesday:

“As you know, maintaining safety and security on our campus is our highest priority. This message is to inform you of an incident that we handled on campus today.

We received a tip from a teacher that overheard a student indicating that he had a weapon. Our security team went to the class of the student and conducted a search and did find a gun in the student’s backpack. At no time was the weapon used to threaten other students or staff.

Law enforcement was notified, the weapon was confiscated, and the student is being detained. Criminal charges will be brought in addition to school-imposed disciplinary measures.

We are pleased that our teacher exercised our “see something, hear something, say something” approach to keeping our schools safe and secure. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly with any questions."

The student has not been identified.