News Summary

Two male students at Battery Creek High School were found with loaded firearms on March 19, 2025. The alarming incident triggered a lockdown as administrators and police worked swiftly to ensure safety. Although no threats were made, the community is now reevaluating security measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Battery Creek Shaken After Students Bring Loaded Guns to School

In a shocking turn of events, two male students from Battery Creek High School found themselves in serious trouble after bringing loaded firearms onto campus. The incident took place on March 19, 2025, leaving students, faculty, and parents rattled and concerned about school safety.

How It All Unfolded

The ordeal began when an anonymous student spotted one of the boys showing off a handgun at a school event just a few days earlier. This brave tip-off reached administrators at around 9:30 a.m., prompting Assistant Principal Daniel Van Winkle to take swift action.

Van Winkle pulled one of the suspects from class for a search. As the tension in the school began to rise, the first (now apprehended) student was discovered to be hiding a Palmetto State Armory Dagger handgun in the front of his pants. That discovery set off alarm bells, leading school resource officers and police to focus their attention on the backpack belonging to the second student.

The Shocking Discovery

Upon searching the backpack, authorities uncovered a Glock 10mm handgun loaded with 14 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. The presence of these firearms prompted an immediate lockdown of the school, initiated around 11:30 a.m.. Although the situation was alarming, school officials reassured everyone that there was no direct threat to students or staff.

The Investigation

As police took action, the school went into lockdown to ensure no further weapons were on the premises. Shortly after, they located the second student in the gym, leading to his detention. It turned out that both boys had invoked their Miranda rights, choosing not to speak further with law enforcement.

Fortunately, authorities reported they found no evidence suggesting an intent to use the firearms against anyone on campus. Additionally, the guns were neither registered to the students nor reported stolen, which raised further questions about how they came to possess such dangerous items.

School Policies Under Review

Battery Creek High School, which has an enrollment of approximately 800 students, currently does not use metal detectors at its entrances—an idea that has been floated in previous years but never implemented. In light of the incident, the school district is now reviewing its safety policies, although specific plans, including security measures like metal detectors, have not yet been discussed.

A Pattern of Concern

This troubling incident is not an isolated case. In 2021, a total of seven students from Beaufort County faced charges for bringing firearms to school, prompting worries about the overall safety of learning environments in the area.

Looking Ahead

Following the frightening episode, the school district announced intentions to increase law enforcement presence on campus and enhance security measures. It remains a community challenge to transform Battery Creek High School into a safer space for students and faculty alike.

This incident serves as a wake-up call for many, raising awareness and prompting conversations about the urgent need for school safety. As communities and educational institutions grapple with the realities of school safety, it’s crucial to reflect on the values of a safe learning environment for our young learners.

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Battery Creek High School Incident: Students Bring Guns to Campus