Southside Junior High student taken into custody after bringing gun to campus

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A Southside Junior High student is in law enforcement custody after administrators discovered a handgun in the student’s backpack Wednesday morning.

Livingston Parish Public Schools (LPPS) said they received a tip around 9 a.m. that a student might have brought a weapon to campus. Administrators acted quickly and found a handgun in the student’s backpack.

LPPS said the weapon was not loaded, and no ammunition was found. At no time did the student threaten classmates or staff.

The School Resource Officer and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office were notified. The student was taken into custody.

“We thank those who reported this matter for their quick and responsible action. By working together, we continue to keep Southside Junior High a safe place for learning,” school officials said.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard said the student will be transported to the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center and charged with:

• Illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile
• Carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon by a student on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in a firearm-free zone

This is a developing story. Further details on the student or the incident were not immediately available.

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