HOT SPRINGS -- A Hot Springs High School student faces charges after a loaded gun was found in his backpack Wednesday morning at the school.
Hot Springs police said the student will be charged under a state law prohibiting possession of a handgun by a minor or possession of a handgun on school property. The handgun was discovered during a search of the student's backpack.
"The dean of students made contact with a 15-year-old male student stating that they smelled of marijuana and was going to search his backpack," Hot Springs police Cpl. Kirk Zaner said.
After being told several times that his backpack was going to be searched, the student said he did not have marijuana but admitted he was in possession of a handgun, officials said. The school resource officer was notified at 10:05 a.m., and a loaded .38-caliber handgun was found in the student's backpack.
The student was taken into custody and transported to the Police Department, where it was determined that he had no apparent plans to threaten or intentionally cause harm to anyone, according to a news release issued by the Hot Springs School District.
"As with all matters of safety, we have taken this issue very seriously and have acted accordingly, utilizing both school system disciplinary recourse and the juvenile justice system," the school district said in a news release. "The high school administration is currently reviewing surveillance video and will again address students to garner their support in reporting any behavior which compromises safety."
State Desk on 04/28/2016