ALBEMARLE — An Albemarle High School student was shot and wounded by another student in a courtyard on the high school campus around 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.
The student was struck twice and is hospitalized in stable condition.
The student accused in the shooting surrendered to the school resource officer almost immediately after the shooting.
The school was placed on lockdown as law enforcement officers descended. Parents were asked to go to North Albemarle Baptist Church, about a block from the school, to wait for the lockdown to end and students to be sent home.
Albemarle Police had earlier released the name of the suspect, but now say he is a juvenile. The shooting apparently arose after an argument just after the school’s doors opened. The school resource officer, E.S. Branch, was nearby when the shooting occurred.
Classes were cancelled for the rest of the day, as well as classes held at the school by Stanly Community College. School will be open today.
Law enforcement in Stanly County recently took part in a school shooting drill, which Police Chief William Halliburton said was very helpful. He said the situation could have been much worse.
Students were evacuated from the school shortly after 9 a.m. The suspect was already in custody and law enforcement officers were searching the building. No other weapons or threats were found. The lockdown was lifted about 9:30 a.m.
WBTV is reporting that the student suspected in the shooting was once involved in a stabbing in a Montgomery County school, but officials there cited privacy laws and would not confirm or deny any information.
Terry Griffin, Stanly County Schools superintendent, told the television station that all security procedures would be reviewed, but thanked law enforcement for their rapid response.