Student at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy allegedly brings loaded gun to campus, principal says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A student at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (MSGA) is facing charges after allegedly bringing a loaded gun to campus Monday, the school’s principal said in a letter to parents.

After the school dismissed Monday afternoon, a parent reported their child saw another student with a handgun on campus, Principal Keynun Campbell said in the letter Tuesday.

School officials and the Marietta Police Department (MPD) immediately started an investigation, which included home visits Monday night and student interviews Tuesday.

Based on the investigation, a student had a handgun in a school bathroom before classes started. The student also allegedly showed the gun to another student on the school bus Monday morning.

According to interviews with students and video surveillance, the gun remained in the student’s locker throughout the school day.

“We believe the student showed the handgun in the bathroom and on the bus to ‘show off’ and was not the result of any threat,” Campbell wrote.

He said Marietta police confiscated the loaded gun.

“As for school consequences, the student will be held to the highest disciplinary consequence set forth by the Marietta City Schools Student Code of Conduct,” Campbell wrote. “MPD will also be prosecuting the juvenile with the appropriate charges.”

Campbell said the student did not attend school Tuesday, on the orders of police and himself.

“I remain grateful for our partnership with MPD, who initiated the investigation immediately and worked throughout the night and today to conduct multiple home visits, student interviews, and parent interviews,” Campbell said.

Campbell said he “can appreciate that this situation raises questions about additional security measures at MSGA and throughout our school district.”

Campbell said he and other Marietta City Schools principals are having ongoing discussions with Superintendent Grant Rivera about potential recommendations by Marietta police for enhanced security measures.

“As occurred in this situation, I encourage each of you to remind your child of the same advice we are given as adults: ‘If you see something, say something,’” Campbell said.

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