September 19, 2025

Beaufort Schools Secure Status After Weapon Incidents

Beaufort, South Carolina, September 19, 2025

News Summary

In Beaufort, South Carolina, Beaufort Middle School and Mossy Oaks Elementary were placed on secure status due to concerns over weapons. The Beaufort Police responded to investigate a reported weapon at the middle school. Meanwhile, a student at Battery Creek High School faced charges for possessing a kitchen knife, following a prior incident involving a loaded pistol found on campus. These measures reflect ongoing safety protocols to protect students and staff.

Beaufort Schools Placed on Secure Status Following Weapon Incidents

Beaufort, South Carolina – Two schools in Beaufort, Beaufort Middle School and Mossy Oaks Elementary School, were placed on secure status on Thursday afternoon due to a reported concern regarding a weapon. The Beaufort Police department responded to Beaufort Middle School at around 1:46 p.m., placing the middle school on hold status while they conducted their investigation. Mossy Oaks Elementary School was also placed on secure status out of precaution.

Both schools have since resumed their normal operations following the incident. The actions taken were in response to safety and security protocols designed to ensure the well-being of students and staff.

In a related incident, a student at Battery Creek High School was charged after a kitchen knife was found in his bag. This discovery followed another incident where a loaded gun was discovered on campus less than a month earlier. The unidentified student was charged in Beaufort County Family Court with bringing a weapon onto school grounds, which is categorized as a felony in South Carolina. The kitchen knife found in the student’s bag had an approximately 4-inch blade.

The incident involving the knife was discovered during a safety search that was prompted by the student selling candy, a violation of school policy. Additionally, three vaping devices were also found in the student’s possession, resulting in further disciplinary action.

The incident at Battery Creek High School occurred shortly after a previous weapon-related situation on August 27, when a loaded pistol was found in a student’s backpack during a disciplinary meeting, which resulted in the campus entering secure status at that time. Following that event, extra law enforcement was present on and around the Battery Creek campus for the remainder of that week as an abundance of caution.

According to Beaufort County School District policy, any student found with a firearm on campus is subject to expulsion for a minimum of one year. The district maintains an array of protocols in place regarding interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure compliance with civil rights laws and to protect students’ access to education regardless of immigration status.

Summary of Recent Incidents Involving Weapons at Beaufort Schools

Incident Date	School	Weapons Involved	Actions Taken
August 27	Battery Creek High School	Loaded pistol	Student charged, secure status enacted
Thursday (date unspecified)	Beaufort Middle School	Reported concern (specifics not detailed)	Secure status enacted
Thursday (date unspecified)	Battery Creek High School	Kitchen knife and vaping devices	Student charged, disciplinary action taken

FAQ

What schools were placed on secure status?

Beaufort Middle School and Mossy Oaks Elementary School were placed on secure status.

What prompted the secure status at Beaufort Middle School?

A reported concern regarding a weapon prompted the secure status at Beaufort Middle School.

What happened at Battery Creek High School?

A student was charged after a kitchen knife was found in his bag, following an earlier incident where a loaded gun was discovered on campus.

What type of weapon was found in the student’s bag at Battery Creek High School?

The weapon found in the student’s bag was a kitchen knife with an approximately 4-inch blade.

What are the consequences for weapons on school grounds in Beaufort County?

Any student found with a firearm on campus is subject to expulsion for at least a year.

What safety protocols are in place regarding ICE interactions in Beaufort County schools?

The district has protocols in place to ensure compliance with civil rights laws and to protect students’ access to education regardless of immigration status.