Macon high school student arrested after gun found in campus parking lot

A Howard High School student was arrested Friday after administrators found an unloaded gun in his vehicle during an on-campus search, according to Bibb County School District officials.

The 18-year-old was charged with possession of a weapon within a school safety zone, district spokesperson Stephanie Hartley said in an email. The district has not released the student’s name.

Campus police were present at the time of the search, Hartley said.

The Bibb County School District has a zero-tolerance policy for weapons on campus. Georgia law prohibits firearms, dangerous weapons and hazardous objects on school property or at school functions.

“Any student who possesses weapons or any item or toy that resembles a weapon on campus shall be taken to a Tribunal Hearing, with the possibility of Expulsion and will be referred to law enforcement officials,” the district’s student code of conduct states. “The BCSD retains the authority to modify such expulsion requirements on a case-by-case basis, and the student may be permitted to attend alternative school for the suspension period.”

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.