DURHAM, N.C. (WPTF) — Juvenile petitions are being sought for two Southern High School students after a weapon was found on campus Tuesday (August 25).
According to a release from the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, on the afternoon of Monday, August 24, 2026, multiple students were involved in a physical altercation on the campus of Southern School of Energy and Sustainability. A staff member was later notified that one of the students involved was in possession of a firearm.
This morning, deputies from the School Resource Officer Division of the Durham County Sheriff’s Office placed the campus on secure status while they attempted to locate the student. During the course of the investigation, a different student was found to have a firearm, and a third student was in possession of ammunition. Both of these juveniles were held for questioning, and deputies are currently seeking juvenile petitions and secure custody orders. The initial individual did not come to campus today, and the investigation is continuing.
Durham County Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead encourages students, staff, and parents that when they See Something suspicious, to Say Something. “I applaud the quick actions of our SROS working in conjunction with Durham Public Schools security and Southern High School staff to bring this dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.” Sheriff Birkhead encourages everyone to reach out to our SROs, school staff, or to use the Durham Public Schools Text-a-Tip line at 274637 (Start your message with the keyword DPSTIP.) to report suspicious activity at school.