Deputies: 'Vigilant student' leads officials to loaded gun at Harnett Central Middle School

The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office said a “vigilant student” alerted administrators to the presence of the loaded gun on campus.

A deputy quickly located and seized the weapon, and the student, who was not identified because of their age, was charged with possession of a weapon on educational property.

Deputies said the weapon brought to the school belonged to an adult who shares a home with the student.

Kevin Spence, 28, who deputies specified was not the child’s parent, was charged with failure to secure a firearm to protect a minor.

The incident is the second time this month a local middle school student has been caught with a weapon on campus.

A Cary Middle School student is facing disciplinary action after a tip led school officials to find a gun among the student’s belongings on March 5.

Although schools are not allowed to discuss disciplinary action against individual students, state law mandates a 356-day suspension for any student found in possession of a gun on a school campus.