Whitfield senior held without bond after gun found in campus car

A 17-year-old Whitfield County high school senior is in jail without bond after deputies discovered a loaded handgun and ammunition inside his vehicle on campus Wednesday morning. The arrest followed a tip that a student possessed a weapon, prompting a search of the car by school administrators and law enforcement.

Gabriel Garcia, a senior at Southeast Whitfield High School, was arrested by Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office deputies. They found the firearm, loaded magazines, and additional rounds during the on-campus search. Garcia was charged with possession of a weapon on a school campus. He is currently held in the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

School resource officers arrived after administrators received information about the potential weapon. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the search was conducted jointly by school staff and deputies. No details were released regarding who provided the initial tip to the school.

Authorities have not stated whether Garcia made any threats to students or faculty before the search. Investigators have also not disclosed who owns the firearm found in the vehicle. The student remains the only person charged in the incident so far.

Garcia’s next court appearance has not been announced. He is being held without bond pending further proceedings. The school remained open during the search, though no specific timeline for the investigation’s conclusion was provided by officials.