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A pellet gun was found in a student’s backpack after a Thursday morning lockdown at Rush Strong Elementary School in Strawberry Plains, according to Director of Jefferson County Schools Tommy Arnold.

Arnold said a lockdown was instituted seconds after a student reported seeing a gun in another student’s backpack.

The School Resource Officer located the student, the backpack and the gun.

The SRO removed the student from class to a secure location and confiscated the gun at which point the officer determined it was a pellet gun.

“At no time was any student or staff hurt or in immediate danger,” Arnold said. “We are thankful for the student who reported the suspicious activity as well as for the staff and students at Rush Strong School who immediately implemented their safety plan.”

Arnold said additional counselors are available to meet with Rush Strong students.

The 13 year old male was charged with threats of mass destruction on school property, and was taken to the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detection Center in Knoxville.