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'We will continue to work with authorities': Bibb Schools investigating why teen had rifle on Westside campus

Superintendent Dan Sims says he is glad Westside students and staff are safe and the district will continue to monitor and practice safety precautions.

MACON, Ga. — More information has come to light about the manhunt that took place Wednesday at Westside High School in Bibb County.

When school was dismissed in the afternoon, a campus officer saw a gun inside a car in the pickup line. 

 Police chased the suspect, but it took several hours to track him down.

Thursday afternoon, Bibb County arrest warrants identified the suspect as 17-year-old Z'yon Hardwick. 

They say he had a Bushmaster .223 gun, which the warrants call an assault rifle. That's the same type of gun used in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting.

Hardwick's arrest warrants call him an admitted member of the "OTS gang" in Macon. They also say this isn't his first time carrying a firearm on school grounds.

Bibb County investigators say they found a photo posted to Instagram that showed Hardwick in the Westside High parking lot during a football game. They say he was holding what looked like a rifle. 

As for the initial incident, Bibb County Schools Superintendent Dan Sims says all is well with the Seminoles.

"I slept well last night knowing that I had every single one of my Westside students and every single one of my Westside staff at home and safe,"  says Sims.

Bibb County Campus Police say the investigation is still ongoing, and they are still unsure why Hardwick was on campus.

"The most important part for us was to address this incident, which we did, and then to ensure and restore safety for everyone, which we are continuing to work on," Sims says 

As for gang activity, Sims says, "We will continue to work with authorities in terms of gang activity, wherever it is. It's important for us to have a good sense of knowledge in terms of what maybe happening so at the end of the day, we keep anyone safe."

He says parents can assist in providing safety. 

"Help us out from a community standpoint, be on the lookout. We all have to be community advocates, so that not only the school, but the neighborhood, the rec center, everywhere is the safest place possible. If we can continue to work together just like we did yesterday, we can guarantee everyone's safety," says Sims.

He also reminds parents to keep contact information updated and to pay attention to school alerts. 

"Communication is key when things happen. The more we are connected, the more we can work together to bring things back to peace," he adds. 

The district reminds parents that all Westside students will have virtual learning Friday, November 18, including Westside students that attend the Professional Learning Academy.

Sims says they take safety very seriously and they will continue to monitor and practice safety precautions. 

Hardwick remains in the Bibb County jail facing several charges including gang activity, having a gun on school property, and being a person under 21 possessing an assault weapon.

   

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