Chief Randy Bynum states

 

On Friday March 3 it was reported to Fort Payne High School administrators that there was possibly a rifle in the back seat of a student’s vehicle.

School administrators and SRO Sgt. Matt Wilson located the student on campus and did retrieve a rifle in the back seat of the student’s vehicle.

After a brief investigation the student was arrested and charged with Possession of a Firearm in Certain Places. The 18 year old was transported to the Fort Payne Police Department where he was processed without incident and awaited to post bond.

During the course of the investigation the student stated that he was shooting the weapon on private property the evening before and forgot to remove the firearm from his vehicle.

At the time of this arrest it is believed that this student did not have any intent to harm anyone. It appears that this student just simply made a mistake which in this situation is a violation of the law.

Legal counsel for the student filed an application for Youthful Offender Status with the Fort Payne Municipal Court and it was granted.