Student arrested after gun found in backpack at Statesville High School, police say

STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Statesville High School student was arrested Friday after a loaded gun and marijuana were found in his backpack on school property.

In a release from the Statesville Police Department, School Resource Officers were told by a staff member that a loaded firearm had been found in a student’s backpack.

SROs took the backpack and conducted a search, finding marijuana in addition to the loaded handgun.

The department said during their investigation they found out the backpack belonged to 18-year-old Justin Smith Davidson of Statesville.

Davidson was willingly taken into custody and charged with one count of possession of a firearm on educational property, one count of carrying a concealed handgun, one count of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a release from the department.

Officers then took Davidson to the Iredell County Jail, where he is being held on a $20,000 secured bond.

This is an ongoing investigation; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

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