FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ga. — Franklin County deputies stopped and searched a school bus Wednesday afternoon after parents reported receiving text messages from children saying a student on board claimed to have a gun.
No weapon was found.
Parents alerted
Franklin County 911 received multiple calls from parents at approximately 3:48 p.m. Sept. 23. According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, children on the bus were sending messages alleging that a student seated in the back was telling other students he had a gun.
Deputies quickly located the bus and conducted a traffic stop. They secured the bus and identified a 20-year-old high school student as a person of interest while interviewing students and gathering information.
As the investigation continued, the sheriff’s office deployed a weapon-detection K-9 to search the bus. The dog did not detect a weapon. Deputies also searched students’ belongings and found no weapon, according to the sheriff’s office.
Once deputies determined the bus was secure and completed their on-scene investigation, the bus was allowed to resume its route.
Authorities said there was insufficient evidence to charge the 20-year-old student, who was released to a family member contacted during the incident.
Previous allegation under investigation
The sheriff’s office said it later learned this was the second reported incident involving the same student allegedly claiming to have a firearm.
Deputies are continuing to investigate those allegations.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 706-384-2525.
Sheriff Scott Andrews thanked Franklin County 911, the Franklin County School System, and the school system’s transportation department for assisting deputies during the incident.
He said their partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting students.
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