Waynesboro | Knife with six-inch blade found in elementary school student’s bookbag

The Waynesboro Police Department has taken possession of a knife with a six-inch blade found by a boy in his bookbag this afternoon at William Perry Elementary School.

The serrated bread knife was secured by school staff after a male student reported finding it, according to an email sent to parents at 2:20 p.m.

The student reported the knife to his teacher around 1 p.m., and school staff notified police and Central Office administrators.

“At no time were threats made, and there was never any danger to students or staff,” said Ryan Barber, assistant superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools. “The Waynesboro Police Department has taken possession of the knife and is actively investigating how it came to be on school grounds.”

In the email, the school system thanked the police department for their “swift response and continued partnership in maintaining the safety of our schools.”

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Earlier this month, another William Perry elementary school student reported that an adult put a gun in her bookbag. A warrant was issued for Christopher Richard Cook related to the incident, according to WPD.

Barber also suggested that parents check their child’s bookbag each day.

“Our team wants to keep your child and our staff safe, and we need your help in doing so,” Barber said.