2 Guns Found On CMS High School Campus, But Not Inside School

CHARLOTTE, NC — Two firearms were found inside a student's car at West Charlotte High School Thursday, according to school officials.

Principal Donevin Hoskins sent a message to families informing them of the following:

"This is Principal Hoskins with an important message I'm calling to let you know that a safety screening was conducted today on our campus to help keep weapons and other prohibited items out of our school.

Today’s screening was a precaution only – there was no threat or emergency. All students and staff at our school are safe. Today’s safety screening was very similar to screenings we all participate in before entering football games and other school special events.

No students were permitted to leave campus during the safety screening. Our staff, parents and students all wish safety screenings were not needed, but weapons must not be in our schools.

I am happy to share that no weapons were found during today’s safety screening.

However, prior to the safety screening, CMS police observed several students in a vehicle in our student parking lot. They approached the vehicle, questioned the students, conducted a search of the vehicle, and discovered two weapons. The weapons were confiscated without incident.

Please speak with your student about the consequences of bringing a weapon to school. It is a violation of CMS policy and state law to have a weapon on any CMS campus. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against anyone in violation. Your student’s safety is our top priority."

This marks 21 guns found on CMS campuses this academic year. In 2018-2019, 22 were found all year long.

CMS High Schools will receive clear backpacks in February of 2022 as part of a series of steps to try and prevent more firearms inside Charlotte schools.