BERKELEY COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An 18-year-old student was arrested Tuesday morning after being accused of possessing a firearm on school premises at Spring Mills High School.
According to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy D. Cox, the school resource officer, received a complaint around 7:30 a.m. about a potentially intoxicated student in the school parking lot.
Witnesses reported seeing the student, identified as Michael W. Shane of Martinsburg, consuming alcohol and placing a firearm in his vehicle.
Deputy Cox attempted to secure the firearm but learned it had been removed by another juvenile, who then left the area in a vehicle with several others.
A “be on the lookout” alert was issued to local law enforcement agencies.
At approximately 8:55 a.m., deputies located the vehicle near Williamsport Pike and Meadow Lane. Further investigation led officers to recover the firearm at another location.
Charges are pending against the juvenile who removed the weapon.
Sheriff Robert A. Blair commended the swift actions of law enforcement and school officials, stating, “Our deputies, with the assistance of Berkeley County School Officials, acted quickly and efficiently to bring this situation to a swift resolution.”
“We have a strong working relationship with our Berkeley County School Officials, and we communicate with them regularly to ensure the safety of our children. I am very proud of the way our deputies handled this situation.”
Michael Shane faces charges of possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds and conspiracy against the state. His bond was set at $40,000.
The investigation remains ongoing.
