DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -According to Decatur police, on Monday, August 22, around 12:30 p.m., a student at Decatur High School observed a classmate remove a handgun from a backpack and place it in the waistband of his pants. The students were in class when this occurred. At the end of the class period, the student notified a school counselor.
The Decatur Police Department was notified and responded.
Police said the suspect, a 17-year-old male, was in his next class when the officers entered the classroom and took him into custody without incident. A loaded 9mm handgun was located in his waistband.
After a preliminary investigation, a second student, a 14-year-old male, was detained as well.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the 17-year-old brought the handgun to school to sell to the 14-year-old and that for a time the 14-year-old had the handgun in his possession.
There is no indication that the handgun was brought to the school to be used against students, faculty, or anyone else.
Dwight Satterfield, Supervisor of School Safety for Decatur City Schools, says the two students are in custody of the Morgan County Juvenile system.
Both will have a hearing in the next 48 hours.
Once legal proceedings are finished, Decatur High Principal Mike Ward will send his recommendation to the superintendent for expulsion.
A due process hearing will then be held for the 2 students in the prescence of Superintendent Dr. Sam Houston.
Dr. Houston will then forward his recommendation to the school board to consider expulsion.
Satterfiled tells me by Alabama law students found in possession of a gun or weapon on school grounds are to be expelled for 1 year.
Satterfield credits tips for preventing another tragedy from happening.
'The main thing to remember with this situation our plan worked. We were notified we ask our students, staff and parents to be vigil in any situation. This was a situation where they provided us information that was relevant and it checked out. 2 students were arrested,' said Supervisor of School Safety Dwight Satterfield.
Satterfield tells WAFF the school has fielded some phone calls from parents but that things are running smoothly at school.
The 17-year-old was charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit. The 14-year-old was charged with Carrying a Pistol On Premises Other Than Your Own.
The cases were referred to the Morgan County Juvenile Probation Office. The juveniles were detained and subsequently transported to the Juvenile Detention Facility in Tuscumbia.