What was supposed to be a night of football and Friday night lights turned tense when officers spotted a young male reportedly carrying a handgun at the stadium.
Deputies working security at the Chesapeake High School football game were flagged down by a spectator who said they saw a boy in a green shirt with a firearm tucked in his waistband. Officers quickly located the suspect, who became verbally aggressive when confronted through a fence near the bleachers. Instead of complying, the boy turned and bolted toward the middle school.
Deputies pursued on foot as the suspect sprinted down the bus lane, repeatedly clutching at his waistband as though reaching for a weapon. Officers shouted multiple times for him to stop running and stop reaching, but he ignored the commands. One deputy managed to cut him off at the end of the lane, tackling him to the ground. Even then, the boy continued to resist as deputies worked to get his arms under control and secure him in handcuffs.
Once restrained, the juvenile admitted he might still have the weapon on him. A search revealed a Smith & Wesson handgun concealed in the crotch area of his pants. The firearm had a magazine inserted but no live ammunition. Deputies immediately cleared the weapon to make it safe before transporting the boy to the Lawrence County Juvenile Detention Facility.
Authorities say the quick action prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating in a stadium packed with families and students, underscoring the real dangers officers face even when working routine school details.
