An Orange County man has been arrested and charged in connection to an investigation where a 6-year-old student brought a loaded firearm to school last week.
Drakar L. Rawlings, 31, has been charged with one count of 18.2-56.2 allowing access to firearms by children; one count of 18.2-371.1(B) abuse and neglect of children; and two counts of 18.2-308.2 possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by convicted felons.
His relationship to the child was not disclosed.
Rawlings is being held at Central Virginia Regional Jail under no bond.
On Sept. 16, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by staff at Orange Elementary School and notified that a loaded firearm was found in the backpack of an elementary school student.
The firearm was seized, and an investigation was launched.
It is believed that the student never intended to use the firearm, and investigators believe that the student did not even know the firearm had been stashed in the backpack and was unaware of its existence.
Orange County investigators worked with Orange County Public Schools, the ATF, Virginia State Police, Probation and Parole, the Department of Forensic Science, the Department of Social Services, the Town of Orange Police Department and the Orange Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Orange County: Loaded gun found in 6-year-old child’s backpack at school
September 16, 2024
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Crystal Graham
