WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A student at Hoggard High School in Wilmington is facing charges after the school resource officer found a firearm on the student Wednesday afternoon.

According to a news release from New Hanover County Schools, staff at Hoggard learned during dismissal of a student who had a gun. Staff notified the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office resource officer, who confronted the student. Sheriff’s investigators say the student ran from the officer and was later captured and taken into custody behind the Long Leaf Mall, which is across Shipyard Boulevard from the Hoggard High campus.

The 16-year-old student is charged with possession of a weapon on educational property, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting, obstructing and delaying a law enforcement officer and possession of a stolen firearm. Investigators say the gun involved may have been stolen.

“The safety and well-being of everyone in our schools is always our highest priority,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes said in an emailed news release. “We are deeply committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment where students can focus on learning. Guns and violence that endanger our students and staff cannot be tolerated. Weapons, violence or other disruptions to the educational opportunities of our students will not be tolerated, and those involved will be removed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Neither the school system nor the sheriff’s office is identifying the student involved in the incident because the student is under 18.

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