RCSD sheriff addresses parent accountability after 3 firearm incidents at Richland Co. schools

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– On Thursday, Aug. 20, Sheriff Leon Lott discussed three incidents that happened at Richland County schools.

Sheriff Leon Lott
Courtesy: Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Sheriff Lott also spoke on how the incidents involved firearms, parent accountability, and safe gun storage ahead of SMART week.

Investigators said on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, around 7:30 a.m., a student at JP Thomas Elementary reported seeing a 6-year-old child on the school bus with a “BB gun”.

An AR Pistol, loaded with .300 Blackout rounds, was removed from the 6-year-old’s bag.

The child’s mother, Destar Hall was charged with unlawful conduct towards a child and taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Deputies said once Hall arrived to the school, it was discovered that the firearm was not properly secured by Hall at their home which led to her child gaining access to the gun.

Additionally, deputies said on the same day Aug. 18 around 9 a.m., the school resource officer at Richland Northeast High School was notified by a private security officer that a 16-year-old student passed through the metal detector with a gun in his bag.

The firearm which was identified as a Glock 19x, holding 17 rounds, was located and secured, said Richland Co. Sheriff’s Dept.

The 16-year-old was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds and possession of a weapon under 18, taken to SCDJJ.

Wednesday, Aug. 19, just after 1:30 p.m., the school resource officer at Ridge View High School was notified by a private security officer that parent Cassandra McGee passed through the metal detector with a loaded Ruger LPC .380 Auto in her purse.

McGee was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds and taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

“We have zero tolerance for bringing guns into our schools,” said Sheriff Lott, “they shouldn’t be in students’ backpacks, parents’ bags, and certainly not accessible to 6-year-olds. Adults have the responsibility to know where their guns are and to make sure they are safely secured. If you own a gun, secure it. It’s that simple.”

RCSD is partnering with Prisma Health Richland Hospital to provide free gun locks and lockboxes during SMART week.

BeSMART’s SMART week is next week, August 24 through August 28, and raises awareness about secure gun storage.

The sheriff’s dept. said, anyone can pick up a gun lock or lockbox for free on Monday, Aug. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2500 Decker Boulevard.

And another date is Thursday, August 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at RCSD Region 1 Substation on 2615 Lower Richland Boulevard.