Newnan elementary student finds loaded gun in backpack at school
Newnan police and Coweta County school officials are trying to figure out how a loaded gun ended up in an elementary school student’s backpack.
Students were settling into their classrooms at Atkinson Elementary School on Nimmons Street about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, said Coweta County school district spokesman Dean Jackson. A student went to his backpack to retrieve a Chromebook charger, according to a letter sent out by Principal Ben Tarleton to notify parents of the incident.
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When he opened it, he found a gun in the bottom.
“At this point, the investigation has indicated that the student was unaware, and surprised, that the gun was in the backpack,” Tarleton said.
The student immediately took the backpack to his teacher, who notified school administration, according to Jackson.
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“A school resource officer searched the backpack and took possession of a loaded handgun,” Tarleton said.
The child has not been arrested, and the school was not placed on lockdown, according to Newnan police. Tarleton said the student did not make any verbal threats to any other students or staff, and appropriate legal and disciplinary action is being taken.
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About the Author
Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.
