Smithfield High School and the adjoining Smithfield Middle School each went into lockdown the morning of June 9 after school officials say a Smithfield High student brought a loaded gun to campus.

The lockdown was lifted by 8:30 a.m. The unidentified student will be charged criminally, Isle of Wight County Schools said in a statement to parents.

School officials say newly installed weapon detection systems at SHS alerted staff to “a potential threat” as students arrived on campus. Staff members discovered “a loaded firearm” in the student’s backpack.

“Thanks to the security measures in place, the weapon was identified immediately and the student was stopped before entering the school building,” IWCS said in its statement. “…We want to assure you that the safety and security of our students and staff are always our top priority. The successful detection and swift response this morning are clear indications that our safety protocols are working as intended. At this time, the building is secure, and there is no ongoing threat to students or staff.”

The lockdown at the adjoining schools was “out of an abundance of caution while law enforcement and school officials addressed the situation,” the IWCS statement said.

The student, whom the Sheriff’s Office says is a minor, “will be arrested for bringing a firearm onto school property,” IWCS said.

The Sheriff’s Office, in a news release issued just after 11 a.m. on June 9, confirmed a student had been taken into custody.

“There is no ongoing threat to students, staff, or the community. The firearm was safely recovered without incident, and appropriate disciplinary and criminal proceedings are underway,” Capt. Tommy Potter, a Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said in the news release.

Potter, in a 10:25 a.m. update to the Times on June 10, said “additional charges are pending” and a decision on whether to charge the student as a juvenile or adult “will be determined by the Commonwealth’s Attorney.”

“We are extremely grateful for the quick response and support of the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and the Smithfield High School team, whose actions helped prevent this situation from escalating further,” the IWCS statement said.

The weapon scanners were rolled out at SHS two months ago after being piloted at Windsor High School last fall. The devices, made by Hudson, Ohio-based CEIA USA, are similar to the walk-through metal detectors used at courthouses but are designed to speed up the process by distinguishing weapons and other contraband from keys, jewelry and other harmless metallic objects.

The latest lockdown is the second this month at an Isle of Wight County school. Carrollton Elementary previously went into lockdown for just over an hour on June 2 after a telephone threat. Westside Elementary also canceled outdoor activities on May 15 after receiving a threat. The Carrollton and Westside threats were each deemed non-credible after school staff and law enforcement investigated.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:20 a.m. on June 9 and at 4:31 p.m. on June 10 with additional details from the Sheriff’s Office.