CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Waynesboro Police Department is praising a student at William Perry Elementary School for acting quickly when they learned someone had put a firearm in their backpack.

Approximately 8 a.m. Thursday, the student alerted a teacher and an administrator that the gun was put there by an adult that they knew. Staff immediately secured the bag, searched it and reported their discovery to law enforcement.

The Waynesboro Police Department was able to confirm that a firearm was on school property. The department said that no threats were made and at no point were any students or staff in danger. WPD then took possession of the firearm and began to investigate the circumstances. The department was able to determine that the firearm belonged to an adult.

Three active warrants were issued for Christopher Richard Cook for the following alleged offenses: unlawful possession of a controlled substance with knowledge and intent t0 possess a firearm; possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony; and possession of a controlled substance.