Nyjah Carter was arrested Thursday after a gun was found inside his bookbag at Scott High School in Toledo, according to a Toledo Public Schools spokesperson. The arrest marks the first weapon caught by the district’s daily metal detector checks this school year.
The 18-year-old student was booked into the Lucas County Jail. Carter is charged with carrying concealed weapons and possession of deadly weapons on school premises.
According to a court document, the gun was loaded. Police said Carter brought the weapon onto campus hidden inside his bookbag.
The district said daily weapons checks caught the gun when Carter’s bookbag went through the metal detector. Security personnel searched the bag and removed the gun.
Security confiscated the weapon without incident, and classes continued as normal, TPS said in a statement. No threats were made toward any student, staff member or the school.
The Toledo Police Department is leading the investigation. Police also questioned a family member of Carter as part of the inquiry.
This is the third year Toledo Public Schools has run daily weapons checks at every traditional high school.
A woman who did not want to show her face said every school should have weapons checks like this one.
“I believe weapon checks are very well needed. It can stop a lot of situations, ’cause you never know what kid has problems with anyone.”
She said the bigger question is what leads a kid to carry a gun in the first place.
“I would ask him a lot. What made you want to carry a gun? What made you feel unsafe in that type of situation? And what can we do on the streets to make it better?”
Carter appeared in court Friday, where his bail was set at $10,000. His case was continued to September 28.
