Sumter County Sheriff "strongly opposes" student who brought gun's possible return to public schools

15-year-old brought pistol, loaded magazine to Lakewood High School

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The Lakewood High School student charged with bringing a pistol and ammunition to school on Wednesday will remain in S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice custody until his next hearing in October after waiving his detention hearing on Friday, according to county law enforcement officials.

The student is scheduled to have a second hearing on Oct. 18.

Sumter School District could expel the 15-year-old student for one year, in accordance with its policy; however, Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said he is against the idea of the student being allowed to return to public schools.

“I strongly oppose any plan to put this student back into the public school system,” the sheriff said.

Dennis said he certainly thinks that everyone is entitled to an education; however, this student’s behavior is progressing in the wrong direction.
Last week, the student was charged with a weapons violation after a black SCCY CPX 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine — that was not inside the gun — were found in his backpack. The student and his bag were searched after other students told school officials he had been showing a weapon to schoolmates.

Two years ago, the same student was charged with two counts of threatening the life of a public official and disturbing schools for reportedly sending emails threatening the lives of then-Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker and Dennis. The student also reportedly threatened to “shoot up” Hillcrest Middle School, where he was a student at the time in 2016.

People often ask why law enforcement didn’t act sooner when there is a school shooting or some other incident pointing to “the signs,” Dennis said.

“We are not going to sit back and wait for his actions to become even more dangerous or threatening,” he said. “It’s my duty to protect the public, and that is exactly what I plan to do.”

Dennis expects to meet with interim Sumter School District Superintendent Debbie Hamm to express his concerns in person.

When asked how the sheriff’s office can prevent similar incidents in the future, Dennis responded, “Education is the best answer.”

“When we go out and speak to community groups,” he said, “we talk about gun safety and keeping them out of the hands of kids.”

The sheriff’s office also has resource officers at Sumter School District schools and has training with school officials and students, he said.

Additional safety measures already in place include some schools having only one entrance for visitors and requiring visitors to show proper identification and to sign in before they are allowed inside the classrooms, he said.

“The school district does a fine job with the security measures it has in place,” he said.

Metal detectors could also help deter someone from attempting to bring a weapon inside a school, he said.

Dennis said no one would have considered having metal detectors years ago. “But the times are changing, and we must change with them,” he said.

“The first and most important priority of Sumter School District is the safety of our students and staff,” Shelly Galloway, the district’s executive director of communication and community engagement, said.

“We recognize the importance of continually looking for ways to improve our safety plans,” she said.

Law enforcement is a partner in the annual review of the plans, she said, and officers evaluate the district’s implementation of emergency drills and provide training for school staff as requested.

Certainly in this day and age, Galloway said, you can never be absolutely protected against all circumstances, but the district’s security plans were developed in accordance with state and federal best practices and in partnership with local public safety professionals.

The district also has partnerships with mental health agencies, and guidance counselors are in every school to work closely with students, she said.

The district encourages parents and guardians to talk with children about troubling information they heard at school or in his or her neighborhood, she said, and to discuss the seriousness of playing pranks, teasing and spreading rumors.

Information can also be reported anonymously on the Sprigeo app which is available on each school’s website, according to Galloway.

“In this particular instance,” she said, “we commend the students who came forward and reported this information to a school administrator.”

“We pledge to our students, parents, employees and the community to take any threat seriously,” Galloway said. “In all cases, we will ask law enforcement officials to help us evaluate the validity of the threat.”