ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – A day after two Elizabeth City schools were put on lockdown, many questions remain.
On Wednesday morning, both River Road Middle School and Northeastern High School were put on lockdown when a student was allegedly discovered with drugs and a gun on a school bus, according to the Pasquotank Sheriff's Office. The school system said it all came about after the bus driver smelled marijuana.
During a press conference Wednesday, Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten commended the driver, school officials, and law enforcement for acting swiftly. A search of both schools came up with nothing further. Sheriff Wooten stated that in addition to drugs, a knife was found along with an AK-47 pistol.
While in Elizabeth City, a News 3 crew stopped by Chauncey’s Pawn and Gun and got some information from an employee of the shop and a local law enforcement officer who happened to be there. The person did not want to be identified but showed an AK-47 pistol at the gun display.
The officer talked about how it could fit into a backpack despite some confusion from the public. The officer also stated that someone would need a permit (including a background check) to buy such a gun, and the store employee said the weapon costs about $1,000.
Pasquotank County District Attorney Andrew Womble told News 3 since the student is 17, it’s currently being handled in the juvenile court system; however, he said the D.A.’s office is exploring the possibility of having the teen tried as an adult.
