Armed teen at student dance report was false

A W.S. Neal dance was disrupted Friday following rumors of a student with a handgun was on campus.

“And that’s just what it was – a rumor,” said East Brewton Police Chief Kenny Brazile Tuesday.

Superintendent John Knott said Friday there was never a gun on campus, a statement Brazile confirmed.

The dance, which was organized as a fundraiser for the school’s softball team, was scheduled to end at 8 p.m. About a half-an-hour before, faculty received the information a student reportedly had a handgun.

“We have interviewed several people, including chaperones and teachers,” Brazile said. “When my officers arrived, teachers had already cleared the school, searched the gym and bathroom and did not locate the student.”

Brazile said while his officers were at the school, other officers were attempting to locate the named student.

“The child who was supposed to be there with a gun was located under adult supervision in another county,” Brazile said.

“This is a case where rumors caused a lot of panic; however, everyone involved – from students and teachers to school faculty and our officers – kept a level head and we were able to get to the bottom of it quickly,” he said.