http://news.yahoo.com/student-expelled-charged-felony-tried-thing-forgot-shotgun-154224579.html
David "Cole" Withrow has been expelled and received a felony charge for accidentally leaving his shotgun in his truck at school and calling his mother to come pick it up when he realized the mistake. (Photo via "Free Cole"/Facebook)
David "Cole" Withrow was a senior ready to graduate with honors from Princeton High School in Johnston, N.C. He is an Eagle Scout, did his senior class project on gun safety and was even looking forward to using a scholarship for college in the fall.
This is why when he realized he forgot his shotgun in the back of his truck after going skeet shooting over the weekend, he debated between driving back home and being counted as tardy and calling his mom from school to collect the gun.
Deciding to call his mother from the school's front office to come get the gun, the 18-year-old's conversation was overheard, according to Todd Starnes.
"He was overheard in a private conversation with his mother explaining what happened," Kimberly Boykin, a friend of the Withrow family told Starnes. "He could have told a story, but he told the truth."
"I think it's an injustice for this young man," she said. "He's a good guy. He's loved by his classmates and his teachers. You don't become an Eagle Scout by being a bad seed."
North Carolina High School Senior Accidentally Leaves Shotgun in Truck Gets Expelled, Felony Chargecole withrow_1
Photo via "Free Cole"/Facebook
As punishment, Withrow has been expelled for a year and will not be able to graduate with his class, potentially off-setting his plans for college in the fall. He has also received a felony charge.
The community is outraged not only because Withrow tried to do the right thing and is being severely punished, but also because school administrators within the district have been caught in similar situations in the past and received less severe retribution.
WTVD reported that two school officials had brought guns onto school property in the past. One, a teacher at another high school within the district, was cited and resigned. The other is actually the assistant principal at Princeton High School where Cole spent the last four years. That person was suspended for three days and still works at the school. Neither case saw criminal charges like those Cole faces.
"I think it's wrong, if an assistant principal can bring a loaded handgun and doesn't get punished? No, unacceptable," parent Nancy Terry told WTVD.
According to the station, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office confirmed that it's only a misdemeanor charge if an administrator brings a gun on school property, but for students it's an automatic felony.
WRAL has a statement from the school:
Johnston County schools spokeswoman Tracey Peedin Jones said the school system has to follow state law regarding weapons on campus.
"Please know that with student and personnel issues, we carefully balance all factors to arrive at a fair and just outcome," she said in a statement Wednesday. "Certain items are mandated and we have no choice but to follow the law."
David "Cole" Withrow has been expelled and received a felony charge for accidentally leaving his shotgun in his truck at school and calling his mother to come pick it up when he realized the mistake. (Photo via "Free Cole"/Facebook)
David "Cole" Withrow was a senior ready to graduate with honors from Princeton High School in Johnston, N.C. He is an Eagle Scout, did his senior class project on gun safety and was even looking forward to using a scholarship for college in the fall.
This is why when he realized he forgot his shotgun in the back of his truck after going skeet shooting over the weekend, he debated between driving back home and being counted as tardy and calling his mom from school to collect the gun.
Deciding to call his mother from the school's front office to come get the gun, the 18-year-old's conversation was overheard, according to Todd Starnes.
"He was overheard in a private conversation with his mother explaining what happened," Kimberly Boykin, a friend of the Withrow family told Starnes. "He could have told a story, but he told the truth."
"I think it's an injustice for this young man," she said. "He's a good guy. He's loved by his classmates and his teachers. You don't become an Eagle Scout by being a bad seed."
North Carolina High School Senior Accidentally Leaves Shotgun in Truck Gets Expelled, Felony Chargecole withrow_1
Photo via "Free Cole"/Facebook
As punishment, Withrow has been expelled for a year and will not be able to graduate with his class, potentially off-setting his plans for college in the fall. He has also received a felony charge.
The community is outraged not only because Withrow tried to do the right thing and is being severely punished, but also because school administrators within the district have been caught in similar situations in the past and received less severe retribution.
WTVD reported that two school officials had brought guns onto school property in the past. One, a teacher at another high school within the district, was cited and resigned. The other is actually the assistant principal at Princeton High School where Cole spent the last four years. That person was suspended for three days and still works at the school. Neither case saw criminal charges like those Cole faces.
"I think it's wrong, if an assistant principal can bring a loaded handgun and doesn't get punished? No, unacceptable," parent Nancy Terry told WTVD.
According to the station, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office confirmed that it's only a misdemeanor charge if an administrator brings a gun on school property, but for students it's an automatic felony.
WRAL has a statement from the school:
Johnston County schools spokeswoman Tracey Peedin Jones said the school system has to follow state law regarding weapons on campus.
"Please know that with student and personnel issues, we carefully balance all factors to arrive at a fair and just outcome," she said in a statement Wednesday. "Certain items are mandated and we have no choice but to follow the law."
