12-year-old charged after gun found at West Clermont Middle School, sheriff says

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CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WXIX) - A 12-year-old student at West Clermont Middle School was taken into custody Friday after another student reported he had a gun in his backpack, according to authorities.

Around 1 p.m., school staff notified the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer after a sixth-grader reported that another student claimed to have a firearm in his bookbag, Sheriff Chris Stratton said.

Staff and the deputy took the 12-year-old out of the classroom, searched his backpack, and found a gun inside, the sheriff said.

Stratton said the boy cooperated with detectives, telling them he hadn’t threatened anyone and had no plans to hurt anybody. Detectives also talked with the boy’s family and made sure he didn’t have access to any other weapons at home.

Following a review with the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, the student was charged with one count of illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a school safety zone, a fifth-degree felony.

The boy was taken to the Clermont County Juvenile Detention Center and suspended while the district decides on any other punishment.

“At the time of the incident, there was no known verbal, written, or physical threat toward any student or staff member,” West Clermont Schools Superintendent Dr. David Fultz wrote. “While that is a small comfort, it does not diminish the seriousness with how we are handling this incident.”

Fultz credited the quick reporting with keeping everyone safe and emphasized that district schools maintain strict safety protocols, regular safety drills, and routine tabletop exercises with law enforcement.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring our schools remain safe places for learning,” Fultz said. “Please take time to remind your child that they should tell an adult if they hear about the possibility of a weapon at or near school or if they know about a student who has a weapon. Saying something when you see something truly makes a difference and it likely helped prevent today’s incident from escalating.”

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