Millbrook High School in Raleigh stepped up security and law enforcement presence Friday after someone brought a loaded AR-15 into a basketball game there on Thursday night.
Fans will only be allowed to carry clear bags into future playoff games, including one scheduled for Saturday at the school, and backpacks will be banned.
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Other security measures, including a single entry point with security check where any jackets or coats must be opened, a ban on re-entry for those who leave the building and a ban on ski masks, will also be in effect.
Police have not identified the person who brought the gun to the game, other than to say the person was under 18 and not a student at Millbrook. They are pursuing a juvenile petition and a secure custody order, the juvenile justice version of criminal charges and an arrest.
According to the Raleigh Police Department, officers responded to a call around 8:40 p.m. Thursday after the gun was discovered.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released at the the appropriate time.
Rash of guns, threats at Triangle area schools
At least 10 guns have been seized at local schools, including Millbrook, in the last month.
Additional police officers and counselors were on the Millbrook campus Friday to help students feel safe.
Millbrook principal Dr. Brian Saunders wrote to parents and students:
"I apologize for the late evening message. I want to make you aware of an incident that occurred this evening. Tonight, during our men’s basketball game, an attendee at the game was found to be in possession of a firearm. Students and staff are safe.
"Law enforcement received information about the suspect, and responded immediately by quickly locating the suspect. They confirmed that he had an AR-15 in his possession, and removed him from our campus. Their investigation of the incident is ongoing, and we will update you as soon as we have additional information. At this point, we can confirm that the suspect is not a student at Millbrook High School. We are grateful for the Wake County Sheriff's Office and the Raleigh Police Department for their immediate response.
"The best means to keep schools safe is to maintain healthy and open relationships between adults and children at all times. Please help us to continue to emphasize to students that they should feel comfortable in talking about situations that cause them concern.
"Again, we thank our local law enforcement officials, our WCPSS Security Team, and our staff for their swift action in this matter. They work closely with us to ensure the safety of our students every day. Know that we will continue to take every measure to ensure the safety of our students. Out of an abundance of caution, additional law enforcement will be on campus tomorrow. We also will have Millbrook High School counselors in place on campus to support any students who need assistance.
"Please feel free to contact our school office at 919-850-8787 with questions and concerns."
Some parents felt administrators did not handle the situation properly.
"I feel that we should have had some sort of notification that there was some active situation happening," said Lacky Adkins, the mother of a basketball player on the visiting team. "We were not given any sort of information real time as to what type of what type of situation we were placed in."
Millbrook defeated Hillside 72-45 to advance to the third round and will play Jordan at home on Saturday. At that time, the updated security measures will be in place, and anyone who does not comply will be excluded from the game without refunds.