GUN FOUND AT U-L HIGH

A sixteen year old male student was taken in custody by deputies this morning at Upson Lee High School after a Ruger .380 caliber pistol was located in his backpack by school personnel as he walked through the OpenGate detection system . The child has been removed from the school. The pistol is reported as “lost” from the Atlanta Police jurisdiction. This case is being actively investigated and the juvenile has been charged with Possession of a Weapon on school property, Possession of a Handgun while under the age of 18 and Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. The juvenile is being transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Macon for holding.

School safety is our priority and we will continue to work with our school system to keep our children and educators safe. Please see the school system’s release, listed below, for additional details.

Dan Kilgore, Sheriff

January 12, 2026

Thomaston- Upson School System Release (below)

This morning, during student arrival at Upson-Lee High School, administrators discovered a firearm in a student’s bag. The firearm was identified through the school’s OpenGate detection system as part of established security protocols.

The situation was addressed immediately, and the student was turned over to the school’s School Resource Officer (SRO) and the Upson County Sheriff’s Office. At no time were students or staff in danger.

The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Thomaston-Upson Schools will continue to utilize and strengthen security measures, including systems funded through ESPLOST, to ensure a safe learning environment across our district.

We appreciate the continued support of our families and community as we work together to keep our schools safe.