Orange County Sheriff releases statement after 6-year-old brings loaded gun to school

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has released a statement providing more information on the incident in which a 6-year-old student was found with a gun at Orange Elementary School.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, at around 12:50 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, an instructional assistant at Orange Elementary School was helping a child, who had arrived late, get items out of their bag when they found what was determined to be a loaded Heritage Rough Rider single action .22 caliber “cowboy style” revolver.

The instructional assistant immediately notified the school’s administration and school resource officer, who responded and took the firearm and backpack, removing the firearm from the school.

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were not aware of the firearm until the instructional assistant found it in the backpack. According to the Sheriff’s Office, there is “absolutely no indication that the child had any intention to use the firearm and additionally did not understand the severity of the item.”

“The investigation is still ongoing, and we can assure the public that no stone will be left unturned at the conclusion of the investigation,” said Orange County Sheriff Jason C. Smith in the statement. “The safety of all students and staff is the top priority of OCSO and OCPS.”

Sheriff Smith urges parents and grandparents to talk to their children about the dangers of firearms and secure any firearms that may be in the home.

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