Rock Hill police searching for student who fled campus with gun, caused lockdown

Two Rock Hill schools were on preventative lockdown Friday morning after a gun fell out of a student’s pocket.

Flexible Learning Center and Belleview Elementary both ended their lockdown at about 11:15 a.m., said Mychal Frost, communications director for Rock Hill school district.

Police say the suspect is a male student, and that no threats were made. He said there was no threat to the public.

The schools were on lockdown for less than an hour, Frost said.

Rock Hill police spokesperson Cpt. Mark Bollinger said officer were patrolling the campus of the Flexible Learning Center after a gun was spotted falling out of a man’s pocket.

The man picked up the gun, according to police, and immediately left, heading outside to the the front lot. Police say he spoke to students, then fled by foot.

The suspect has been identified, Bollinger said.

The Flexible Learning Center, 1234 Flint St. Extension, houses three of the school district’s alternative programs, Frost said. He said six students were on campus.

He said all students are safe, and normal operations resumed inside the center.

Bollinger said officers have been circulating the center since the gun was spotted, and the investigation continues.

This story was originally published May 26, 2017 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Rock Hill police searching for student who fled campus with gun, caused lockdown."