NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A student from Stratford High School has been expelled for one year after he brought a gun to school on Thursday.
The discovery was made around 9 a.m. at the school located at 1800 Stratford Avenue.
School officials told Nashville's News 2 an investigation against the student began on Wednesday after a school supervisor found two bullet casings from a .22 caliber in the hallway.
An SRO and school officials were immediately notified, prompting an investigation and review of surveillance footage.
School officials were able to identify the 17-year-old senior by reviewing surveillance video.
"Once the student was called out of class he did begin fidgeting, at which time the search was conducted and the student was found to be in possession," said Tony Majors, Chief support services officer for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
According to police, the gun was found tucked inside the student's waistband.
"The student was very cooperative," said Majors. "He did not try to flee; he did not try to access the firearm. Once he saw the school resource officer call him out of class and the assistant principal, he was very cooperative and surrendered the firearm."
Majors told Nashville's News 2 no one at the school was ever in danger and classes proceeded as usual.
"Basically he just said, 'I didn't want to cause any problems here at school but I just had it because I felt I needed protection after school in the community,'" said Majors.
The student was expelled from the school for one year under the school's zero tolerance policy.
He also faces charges.
"Metal detectors, pat downs, they need it all," said Regina Lawrence, whose nephew attends Stratford High School. "It's bad now and it's bad we have to have it in schools for the students, but we need it for our safety."
According to Majors, this is the eleventh gun incident in a Metro public school during the 2012-2012 school year. It is the first incident at Stratford High School.
