Student charged after bringing loaded gun to school in North Charleston: Report

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A student at the Lowcountry Acceleration Academy is facing charges after bringing a loaded handgun to school on Monday, according to an incident report from the North Charleston Police Department.

Zhyleke Johnson, 18, is charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon and carrying weapons on school property. He is being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center.

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According to a report, Johnson approached a staff member at the academy Monday morning and told her that he made a mistake. Johnson said he brought a firearm to school and that he had left it outside of the building.

The 18-year-old student led the staff member to the firearm, which was loaded with 10 rounds with one in the chamber, according to the report. The staff member placed the gun in her vehicle and contacted authorities, who arrived shortly after 11:30 a.m. to take possession of the weapon.

The gun had been previously stolen out of Charleston, according to the report. Officers searched the school for additional weapons, but none were found.

Johnson was arrested and transported to the county jail.

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Jeff Good, a spokesperson for the academy, says Johnson enrolled at the school last week and will not be allowed to return to campus pending the outcome of an investigation.

Good says Johnson never brought the gun into school or made any threats toward anyone.

"Lowcountry Acceleration Academy is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all our students and staff members and will not tolerate illegal or inappropriate activity on our premises," Good said.

Lowcountry Acceleration Academy is a free public charter high school in North Charleston that aims to help young adults who have had difficult experiences in traditional high school settings.

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