Beaufort, South Carolina, August 29, 2025
News Summary
A 16-year-old student at Battery Creek High School has been charged after a pistol was found on campus just before dismissal. The incident prompted a secure status at the school, where all students were brought indoors and classrooms locked. Thankfully, no threats were made. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is urging community discussions on firearm safety and encouraging reports of suspicious activity. This event coincided with a tragic shooting at a Minneapolis school, highlighting concerns around safety in educational settings.
Beaufort, South Carolina – A 16-year-old male student at Battery Creek High School has been charged with a criminal offense after bringing a pistol onto the school’s campus. The incident occurred shortly before the school day ended, around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The student was promptly detained by the school resource officer (SRO) and subsequently taken to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.
At this time, it remains unclear how authorities were informed about the firearm being present on campus. Fortunately, no threats were made toward students or staff during the incident, keeping the situation from escalating further.
Following the discovery of the weapon, the school entered a “secure status”. This means that all students were brought indoors and classroom doors were locked as a precautionary measure, though classes continued uninterrupted. Importantly, the dismissal process for students was not delayed despite the ongoing situation.
The event at Battery Creek High School coincided with a tragic shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school on the same day, where a gunman took the lives of two children and injured 17 others before taking his own life. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is using this incident to remind the community that weapons are strictly prohibited on all campuses within the Beaufort County School District. They are calling on parents, guardians, and caregivers to engage in discussions regarding the gravity of incidents that involve firearms with their children.
Additionally, the sheriff’s office has emphasized the importance of reporting any knowledge students may have regarding weapons to school staff. In instances where individuals notice suspicious or criminal activity, they are encouraged to report this to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777.
Citizens also have the option to submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County, which can be done via the P3 Tips app, online at tipsbft.com, or by calling 1-888-274-7884 (1-888-TIPS-BFT).
Community Response to Youth Safety
This incident has sparked discussions among community leaders about the safety of students and the impact of firearm presence in schools. The efforts to educate families on the responsibilities surrounding firearms and to create a safe learning environment for all students are being prioritized. Such steps aim to prevent future occurrences and to maintain the vigilance of students and staff regarding safety protocols.
Context About School Safety Measures
Schools within the Beaufort County School District are committed to upholding a safe educational environment. Recent events have underscored the necessity for ongoing communication between students, parents, and law enforcement. Encouraging prompt action whenever suspicious activity is observed helps foster a secure atmosphere and reinforces the message that safety is a top priority.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Student Charged After Bringing Pistol to Battery Creek High School
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Additional Resources
- Bluffton Today
- Wikipedia: School Safety
- Island Packet
- Google Search: School Safety Measures
- WTOC
- Google Scholar: Gun Violence in Schools
- WJCL
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Firearm Safety in Schools
- Count on 2
- Google News: School Shootings
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
