Two Columbus students were arrested on Monday afternoon for allegedly bringing guns to school.
The students were arrested around 4:40 p.m. in the 200 block of North 22nd Street, where Champion Middle School is located, after an Instagram post showed them with firearms on school grounds.
Columbus police said the two students were brought to the office and school officials discovered the 12-year-old girl had a concealed, unloaded gun. The 13-year-old boy had a concealed BB gun that looked like a real firearm.
A Columbus City Schools spokesperson said Champion Middle School was on lockdown from about 2:07 to 3:50 p.m. Monday as a precaution while Columbus police searched the building and conducted their investigation. The school then had a staggered student release with the help of school security and police officers.
The girl is facing charges of possession of a deadly weapon in a school zone and a misdemeanor concealed carry violation. The boy is charged with possession of an object indistinguishable from a firearm in school.
Both were processed at Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.
The school district said in a statement that it has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to possession of weapons on school campuses and facilities.
"Students will face disciplinary actions, including the potential of suspension or expulsion if found to be in possession of any item deemed potentially dangerous to themselves or others in a school environment," reads the statement.
It goes on to ask parents to have "thoughtful, age-appropriate," conversations with students about gun violence and what is appropriate to bring to school.
