2 juveniles in custody after incident at Philip Simmons High School

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Two juveniles are in custody Friday after an investigation into suspicious activity outside Philip Simmons High School.

Deputies with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) were dispatched to the school around 2:46 p.m. regarding a possible weapon on the school campus.

One of the students was detained while another fled from law enforcement at the school. Officials told News 2 that the first student detained was in possession of a firearm while the other tossed a weapon into the woods while fleeing.

Three surrounding schools – Philip Simmons elementary, middle, and high – were each placed on lockdown during the search and investigation. A spokeswoman for the school district, Katie Tanner, said all students at the schools were safe.

Those lockdowns were later lifted after officials announced the second juvenile suspect had been detained. News 2 learned that person – who was a student – was found hiding behind a house near the school.

Two firearms were recovered during the investigation.

Tanner said Philip Simmons Elementary was in the middle of dismissal. She said students who had not yet been dismissed were brought back into the school and buses have been held.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the Berkeley County School District are investigating. The Charleston Police Department assisted in the response.