Student arrested for pointing a gun at others at Chester High School, sheriff says

CHESTER, S.C. — The Chester County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 18-year-old for pointing a gun at two students on the campus of Chester High School last week, the sheriff said.

On the morning of Feb. 2, Gus Jennings Thomas -- a student at Chester High School -- is accused of bringing numerous guns to the school parking lot and allegedly pointing a firearm at two other students.

Thomas is charged with carrying weapons on school property and two counts of pointing and presenting a firearm.

“It’s scary, it’s something you hear about a lot more now than you used to,” one Chester High School parent told Channel 9′s John Paul.

Administration at the school received an anonymous tip about guns in Thomas’ truck on the morning of Feb. 2 and the vehicle was searched, according to the police report.

In the truck, deputies found a loaded 9mm pistol, a loaded AR-15 with 25 rounds in the magazine and another loaded rifle, police said. Deputies said they also found a knife and a box with 223 rounds in it.

Thomas told police he forgot to take the guns from his truck after a hunting trip, the police report said.

“I can’t get into his head, but as far as I’m aware, our investigation hasn’t found any evidence that he was planning to use these weapons for any sort of attack or anything like that,” Grant Suskin, a spokesperson for the Chester County Sheriff’s Officer, told Channel 9.

Thomas was arrested and charged with carrying weapons on school property on Feb. 2. He was granted a $1,500 bond.

After further investigation, deputies charged Thomas with two counts of pointing and presenting a firearm.

The sheriff’s office said he was being held at Chester County Detention Center without bond after turning himself in on Wednesday. A higher court judge overruled the bond denial on Thursday and Thomas was released from custody.

The Chester County School District said students and their families were notified by school officials that firearms were found on campus.

“In situations of this nature, CCSD will take disciplinary action in accordance with Board Policy which may include expulsion,” the district said in a release.

It also said that due to student privacy laws, specific discipline taken against Thomas would not be made public.

This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates.

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