4 juveniles reportedly involved in illegal activity at Sumter County school

Four male juveniles are facing legal punishment after reported involvement in illegal activity at Lakewood High School on Thursday afternoon.
Based on a preliminary investigation, the subjects — a 16-year-old, two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old — went to Lakewood with the intent to fight students there, said Deputy Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The juveniles attend another Sumter County school.
The students were identified by school administrators and the school’s resource officer after it was reported that the juveniles were on campus without checking in. Additional deputies were called to the scene to assist.
The juveniles were detained and the vehicle they arrived in was searched, and a firearm and suspected synthetic marijuana were found inside the vehicle, Sarvis said.
The juveniles — whose names will not be released because of their ages — will be petitioned to family court for possession of a weapon while on school grounds and simple possession of narcotics, Sarvis said. The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents/guardians.
“I commend the school’s administrators and the resource officer for acting as quickly as they did when they learned of the suspicious behavior,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said. “This is the kind of response and collaboration needed to keep our students and community safe from potential threats.”
“This incident stemmed from an altercation that took place at our school,” said Lakewood High School Principal Cedric McKnight in a letter to parents. “Please know, this type of behavior is not tolerated. As a precautionary measure, an increased presence of law enforcement will be at our school during dismissal and on Friday.
“The intent of this correspondence is not to alarm you but to keep you informed. Our top priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Our pledge to you is that we will take all incidents very seriously, and deal with students in accordance with the Sumter School District Code of Conduct and law enforcement when deemed appropriate.”