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.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Battery Creek High School Student Charged with Weapon Possession
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University of South Carolina Enhances Campus Safety and Embraces AI
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Vocational Education Gains Traction in Beaufort, SC
Burton Man Arrested in Shooting Incident
Rip Current Warning Issued for Coastal Jasper and Beaufort County
82-Year-Old Woman Charged with Murder in Shooting Incident
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Beaufort Schools Resume Normal Operations
- Wikipedia: School Safety
- Island Packet: Student Arrested for Gun at Battery Creek High School
- Google Search: Beaufort County School District safety protocols
- WITN: Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office SROs Ready for Another Year
- Google Scholar: School Safety Policies
- WTOC: Beaufort Co. School District Directs Employees on ICE Situation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Security
- Island Packet: Beaufort County Incidents
- Google News: Beaufort School Security Incident
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.
