An Ashe County High School student was arrested last week after being accused of taking a loaded firearm onto school property.

John Cline Edwards III, 16, of West Jefferson was charged with felonious possession of a weapon on educational property. He was also charged with communicating threats in a private warrant that was not issued by the West Jefferson Police Department.

According to Chief Brian Grogan of the WJPD, school officials contacted the department on Dec. 7 after they received information that Edwards had a firearm in his vehicle. School officials told authorities that a fight between Edwards and another student was planned for that afternoon in the Walmart parking lot.

Responding Officer Jake Howell arrived at the school to investigate the matter and reported that Edwards had a loaded Lugar handgun under the driver seat of his vehicle.

School officials have not stated how they became aware of the loaded firearm or if Edwards had directly threatened another student.

Ashe County Schools Superintendent Travis Reeves said that he is “not at liberty to give any details” concerning the incident, as mandated by federal and state confidentiality guidelines. He could confirm that Edwards is enrolled as a student at ACHS but did not confirm whether or not he was suspended.

“We have to protect our students’ privacy,” Reeves said.

The Ashe County Board of Education has a policy in reference to students possessing weapons on school grounds, under the Anti-Social Behavior Policy. It states: “Students are prohibited from possessing, handling, or transmitting any weapon, or any instrument that reasonably looks like a weapon or could be used as a weapon.” Weapons include loaded or unloaded firearms, explosives, a variety of knives and daggers, and other items that could pose a danger to students.

The ‘Consequences’ section of the policy states, as required by law, that a student who brings a firearm onto school property will be suspended for 365 days, unless the superintendent recommends and the BOE approves a modification.

The office of Assistant District Attorney Stacy Adams stated that the office is not authorized to comment on the matter as the investigation is pending.

Edwards is scheduled to appear in Ashe County District Court on Jan. 8.