Deputies have arrested James Edward Folk, 18, for bringing a firearm on school property. Folk and an acquaintance were seen driving on to White Knoll High School grounds after being observed in possession of a shotgun at a nearby business.
Detectives said an eyewitness saw Folk with a weapon at a business near White Knoll High School before witnessing him drive on to school property.
“Investigators were able to use Snapchat video and school security camera footage to identify these suspects,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Shortly after noon Aug. 27, Folk was seen picking up a student from White Knoll High. The student was not permitted to leave campus.”
“Earlier in the day, Folk’s acquaintance also posted a photo and video of him and his friends holding firearms in his vehicle,” Koon said.
Deputies later tracked down Folk with the help of witnesses, according to Koon.
He is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center and is awaiting bond court.
A minor arrested in the incident has been released to his parents.
Lexington 1 spokesperson Mary Beth Hill explained in a press release late Friday:
After arriving home from school, a White Knoll High School student reported to a parent that the student saw three individuals turn into the bus entrance at White Knoll High. The student also told his/her parent that he/she believed the individuals had a weapon.
The student’s parent called the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and reported the incident.
The Sheriff’s Department then contacted school and district administrators and alerted them to the incident. They also provided the district with regular updates as they pursued their investigation.
The district is proud of the student who noticed something out of the ordinary and reported it to his/her parent and to the parent who took it seriously. Due to their vigilance, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department was able to begin an investigation quickly.
The district is grateful for its strong partnership with law enforcement. We both take every tip seriously and, together, we work to respond no matter what time of day.
The district believes that every child deserves a safe learning environment and encourages students and their parents to report any safety concerns to a school administrator, School Resource Officer, school counselor, teacher or other employee. When they do, the district can respond to protect their safety.
If they are uncomfortable reaching out to those employees, the district also has a district-wide Tip Line accessible online, by telephone or by email, for students, their parents or staff to report school safety concerns. They can submit a report by calling 803-636-8317 and leaving a message; by texting details of their concern to 803-636-8317; or by emailing details of their concern to 1607@alert1.us.com.