MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) — A 17-year-old student at Riverdale High School has been formally charged after authorities discovered a concealed firearm on campus Tuesday morning.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to WGNS that the juvenile faces charges of carrying a weapon on school grounds and unlawful possession of a weapon. The incident took place on Feb. 24, 2026, when the school’s security technology flagged the student during entry.

According to law enforcement, the 9mm handgun was found inside the student’s jacket pocket after he triggered the school’s weapons detection system. School administrators immediately alerted SRO Matt King, who took the teenager into custody. SRO Christopher Golden was also present as the student was advised of his rights.

The student was subsequently transported to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center. Under the district’s zero-tolerance policy, school officials stated the student will be expelled.

Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan confirmed the situation was resolved peacefully and noted that no threats were made against the school community.

“We know these situations alarm parents, and that’s one reason we insisted on deploying a weapons detection system at every school this year,” Sullivan said. “We are grateful the system is in place to stop weapons from entering our schools.”

 PREVIOUSLY REPORTED

RUTHERFORD COUNTY,  TN - Charges against a 17-year-old Riverdale High School student who brought a handgun to school Tuesday morning have gone from "pending charges," to "charged." The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office confirmed with WGNS on Tuesday afternoon, "The 17-year-old Riverdale High School student was charged with carrying a weapon on school grounds and unlawful possession of a weapon."

According to the Sheriff's Office, the handgun was confiscated from the student after he passed through the weapons detection system and the system alerted those operating the site. School administrators say they found the 9mm handgun inside the student’s jacket pocket. Administrators quickly showed SRO Matt King the gun. At that point, SRO King detained the student and read him his rights with SRO Christopher Golden present.

The student was taken to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center where he was charged accordingly

Rutherford County Schools Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan said the situation was resolved without incident and the student did not indicate any threats against anyone at the school. “We know these situations alarm parents, and that’s one reason we insisted on deploying a weapons detection system at every school this year,” Sullivan said. “We are grateful the system is in place to stop weapons from entering our schools.”

WGNS was told the the accused student will be expelled from school under the zero tolerance policy. Again, the incident was reported on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Riverdale High School.