Unloaded gun, fixed blade knife found inside car in parking lot of Cleveland High School
Authorities found an unloaded gun on Wednesday inside a car in the parking lot of Cleveland High School, according to a letter principal Jenna Sauls Hairr sent to parents.
All students and staff are safe, Hairr said.
"The weapon never came into our building, and no threat was made to our campus or our students," Hairr wrote.
Captain Jeff Caldwell of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office said in addition to the unloaded gun deputies found a fixed blade knife, 9mm ammunition and drug paraphernalia in the car. All items were seized by law enforcement.
Juelle Amos Thomas of Smithfield, 18, was arrested by deputies and charged with felony gun on educational property, misdemeanor weapon on educational property and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Furr said school leaders immediately contacted law enforcement once the weapon was discovered. Law enforcement "quickly and appropriately" removed the gun, according to Hairr.
The school plans to continue its normal operations on Wednesday, according to Hairr.
"We ask you to remind your students to speak with an adult if they ever see or hear something they are uncomfortable with while they are on our school campus," Hairr wrote.
Caldwell said Thomas was placed in the Johnston County Jail under an $11,000 secured bond.
