For immediate release: March 24, 2022
Firearm Violation at Lynchburg City School
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) is investigating a firearm violation that occurred today at a city school.
On March 24, 2022, at 1:20 p.m., Roanoke Police Department (RPD) reported to LPD that their agency had intercepted a livestream video on social media that showed a student with a handgun in what appeared to be a school bathroom. Original information provided led law enforcement to believe the student was located at E.C. Glass High School on Memorial Avenue in Lynchburg.
While LPD officers were responding to the school, communication was made with the LPD School Resource Officer at E.C. Glass High School who immediately placed the school under a lockdown. As officers began a search of the school building, additional information was received that redirected the search to the LCS Empowerment Academy located at 701 Thomas Road.
Additional LPD officers responded to the Empowerment Academy where they were able to locate the student in question and take him into custody without incident. Officers also located the handgun in a backpack.
Stephon Dewitt Smith, 18, has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a firearm while on school property
- Possession of a concealed weapon
Smith was transported to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority (BRRJA) in Lynchburg.
The E.C. Glass High School lockdown was lifted at 2:10 p.m. once it was determined that there was no threat to the students or staff. No injuries were reported during the incident and no shots were fired.
LPD would like to thank the Roanoke Police Department for providing investigative support throughout the incident.
LPD would also like the thank all Lynchburg City Schools personnel for collaborating with our agency to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Lynchburg Police Department at (434) 455-6041 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. Enter a tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.
This is an ongoing investigation. Any additional information will be released as an update to this news release.