HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- A teenager arrested at Lee-Davis High School (L-DHS) Thursday afternoon got into the Hanover County school carrying a gun, a knife, and marijuana, according to the Hanover Sheriff's Office.
Someone let Deashawn Winston, 19, of Louisa County, into the Mechanicsville high school through a locked door, according to a letter the school's principal sent to parents.
"An alert staff member noticed a possible unauthorized visitor and immediately reported the concern to L-DHS administration," the letter from principal Charles Stevens said. "This individual was calm, cooperative, and did not make any threats. An administrator quickly responded and escorted the individual to the front office. A preliminary investigation revealed that the individual was not a student. In addition, we discovered that a L-DHS student intentionally opened a locked door to allow this individual into the building."
Winston was charged with trespassing on school property, two counts of possession of a weapon on school property, and possession of marijuana.
He was booked at Pamunkey Regional Jail.
"We were extremely fortunate today," the principal's letter continued. "We are a teaching and learning institution, and today is a very teachable moment. Please let this serve as an important reminder that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and I ask that you assist us in our efforts. We will be speaking with our students about their role in keeping our school safe. Please help us to reinforce this message with your children and how even the smallest mistake can have disastrous results."
The incident occurred at approximately 2:25 p.m. on Thursday, February 13.
