
At Gordonsville High School, a routine class turned into a moment of heroism when 14-year-old student Evan Boyd took decisive action to avert a potential threat. Earlier today, during an 11:30 a.m. eighth-grade class, Evan noticed something unusual – what appeared to be a gun in a classmate’s waistband.
Evan, in an act of bravery, decided not to wait for the situation to escalate. He recalled, “I was sitting in class reading my book, and I looked over and I noticed this kid messing with his waistband. I realized there’s a gun. My friends told me not to do anything, but I’d rather me get shot than them or any of my classmates. So I stood up, I got behind him, I grabbed his arms, told my teacher he has a gun, and I got the gun from his waistband. Then I got him on the ground.”
His swift actions involved tackling the student from behind, disarming him, and pushing the weapon away across the floor. He shouted “gun” to alert his classmates, who promptly evacuated the room. The teacher activated a Centegix alert badge to alert administrators and law enforcement, and the school was placed on a lockdown.
Upon further examination, what was initially perceived as a firearm turned out to be a BB gun, a fact unknown to Evan at the time of his brave intervention. Smith County Sheriff Steve Hopper confirmed Evan’s account, emphasizing that even BB guns are strictly prohibited on school premises.
Evan’s quick thinking and courageous act have been praised by many, showcasing not only his concern for the safety of his peers but also his willingness to put himself at risk to prevent potential harm. Evan’s actions today have undoubtedly marked him as a hero in the eyes of his community.
The Smith County Board of education released the following statement about the incident:
Earlier today, on school grounds, a student at Gordonsville High School (GHS) was found to be in possession of a BB gun that closely resembled a handgun. The weapon was discovered by a fellow student, who immediately reported the matter to a teacher. Thanks to this quick and responsible action, the youth was promptly detained by school staff. Law enforcement responded swiftly, and the student was arrested and remains in custody.
In a separate incident, another student claimed to also have a weapon in their possession. This student was immediately taken into custody. However, after a thorough search, no additional weapons were found on the premises.
“We are incredibly grateful for the quick thinking and prompt actions of teachers and law enforcement involved in ensuring the safety of our school. The execution of our safety plan was perfection,” said Director Barry H. Smith. “The cooperation and alertness shown today helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating.”
The Smith County Board of Education recognizes the fear and uncertainty this situation may have caused among students, parents, and staff. Counselors will be available at GHS tomorrow to provide support and counseling for those impacted by today’s events.
“We understand the impact that incidents like this can have on our school community,” said Barry Smith. “We want to reassure our parents and students that we take this matter very seriously. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. The Smith County Board of Education will not tolerate any behavior that threatens the well-being of our schools. Any student found in possession of a weapon or making threats involving weapons will face the fullest consequences under the law and district policy.”
We would like to ask the community to understand this is still an active and ongoing investigation. While we acknowledge that parents deserve to know details as quickly as possible, it is important to recognize for the safety of all individuals involved, only general information can be released at this time. In situations like the one that occurred today, the priority is to neutralize the threat and ensure the safety of all students and staff. Notifying parents during an ongoing incident is not always possible, and doing so prematurely could jeopardize the safety of everyone involved.
Gordonsville Police and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office have assured the school district that they will continue to investigate the incident thoroughly.