JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — Deputies were called to Warhill High School on Friday after a student said another student had a gun.
Officials arrived at the school 11:40 a.m. and arrested 19-year-old Da’Quan Thomas Ky’Le Williams.
Williams had a loaded 9mm handgun in his gym bag with six rounds of ammunition in the magazine. Deputies also found an additional round in Williams’ vehicle.
“I think it’s very sad and also scary,” said Maggie Floyd, who graduated from Warhill and has a sister who currently attends the school. “So it’s kind of like a tug on my heartstrings, like if something were to happen my sister."
The Warhill High School senior was charged with felony possession of a firearm on school property and felony second offense carrying a concealed weapon.
“She knew the person and said that they are always nice and really funny and upbeat kind of character, so it might have been out of character for him to do something like that," said Floyd.
According to a Facebook post by a former teammate of Williams on the football team:
“He had a rough life at home he has always bounced around houses he has been to a total of 13+ high schools. He was scared of moving on in life and didn’t know what to do. From what I understand he wasn’t planning on hurting anyone. Just wanted to get caught so he’d be arrested and not graduate.”
Williams is being held at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail without bond.
Here is the message that Dr. Carroll sent to families and staff this afternoon:
Good afternoon, parents. This is Dr. Carroll, principal of Warhill High School. I am calling you today with an important message about school safety. Early this afternoon, a 19-year-old student was arrested for having a gun on school property. He now faces criminal charges and disciplinary action here at the school. Because staff and a school resource officer handled this matter quickly, most students were not aware of the incident and instruction continued without interruption. As you discuss this with your children tonight, please review with them the role they play in keeping our school safe. Specifically, if they ever see something suspicious, please encourage them to find an administrator or staff member and report their concerns. In short, if they see something, say something. Thank you for your help and understanding, and, as always, thank you for your continued support of Warhill High School.
“I want to hear success stories ... it's just so sad it breaks my heart when I hear it go the other way," said parent Amanda Joines.
Joines is relieved at least one student was brave enough to speak up. It’s something she reminds her own children every day.
“I tell them all the time if you see something, say something. All the time, never be scared to stand up for yourself or other people," said Joines.
A spokeswoman with the Williamsburg-James City County Schools said that in addition to the police charges, appropriate disciplinary action is being taken at the school.