COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – An employee is on administrative leave after allegedly having a gun at Richland Northeast High School.
Richland School District 2 said Crystal Gamble was placed on leave following her arrest on Monday and charged with carrying a weapon onto school property.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, school resource officers were alerted by metal detectors to the firearm that was reportedly in Gamble’s bag.
Richland Northeast High School Principal Marlon Thomas said the situation was handled “swiftly and appropriately,” in a letter to students and parents obtained by WIS.
“Law enforcement was immediately notified, and the employee was arrested,” the letter says.
According to the sheriff’s department, SROs secured the firearm and detained Gamble. RCSD also said it determined she was the lawful owner of the gun and that she reportedly forgot it was in her bag.
Records show Gamble was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Here is a full copy of the statement that the school sent to families:
Good Morning Cavalier Families,
I want to inform you about an incident on our campus today. During a routine safety screening, a firearm was discovered in the purse of an employee. The situation was handled swiftly and appropriately. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was immediately notified, and the employee was arrested. I want to reassure you that at no point was anyone threatened, and the safety of our students and staff was never at risk. Students remained unaware of the situation as it unfolded. This incident highlights the importance and effectiveness of our safety measures, including continuous safety screenings, which worked exactly as intended to identify and address a potential concern before it could pose any risk. Transparency is a core value at our school, and we felt it was important to share this information with you. The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority, and we are taking every measure to ensure our campus remains a safe environment for learning. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your trust and support as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Cavalier community.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WIS for the latest details.
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