Southern Wayne High School student had gun in car
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 4, 2012 1:46 PM
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Braxton Allison Hood
DUDLEY -- A 16-year-old Southern Wayne High School student was arrested Wednesday after a tip about drugs in a vehicle turned up several weapons during a search.
Braxton Allison Hood, 16, of 295 Falling Creek Church Road, Goldsboro, was arrested on one count of felony firearm on a school campus and four counts of misdemeanor weapons on a school campus.
According to a report from the Sheriff's Office, someone reported drugs were allegedly inside Hood's vehicle at the school. The school resource office investigated and found five different weapons.
The report did not specify what the weapons were, but school officials confirmed the incident.
"In this situation, they weren't looking for a gun," Ken Derksen, director of communication services and public information officer for Wayne County Public Schools, said this morning. "They had gotten a tip there were drugs in the car.
"When the sheriff's department was given permission to access the car, they found a loaded firearm and then along with it, they found marijuana and brass knuckles."
Derksen said whether the firearm was loaded or unloaded, the district takes such matters seriously. Notification letters are typically sent home to parents making them aware of such incidents, but at the high school level, "a lot of times those messages don't make it home."
As a result, the school's principal, Dr. John Boldt, used the school system's automated call system, Alert Now, to notify parents of what had happened.
In his message, he also said a knife had been found during the search.
"The school resource officer immediately confiscated the drugs and weapons," he said. "No students were in danger. Our school is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for students. ...
"Please use this incident as an opportunity to speak with your child about the seriousness of bringing inappropriate items onto our campus."
According to the sheriff's report, Hood is free on custody release.
Derksen said he cannot discuss disciplinary action being taken by the school due to privacy laws, but said there are several district policies in place, which Boldt also referenced in his message to parents.
"If a student is caught in possession of drugs or weapons on campus, they will face disciplinary action in accordance to board policy, as well as face criminal charges," Boldt said.
According to board policy 4333, a student in possession of a firearm on school property is subject to suspension for 365 days.
-Staff writer John Joyce also contributed to this story.