BLACK: Bayside student found with gun after report of disturbing pic on social media, turns out to be a stolen gun

Arheel's Uncle

Senior Reporter

Bayside student found with gun​

  • Daily Press
  • 30 Mar 2023
School officials searched a Bayside High School student’s backpack Wednesday morning and found a loaded handgun.
Kavonta Hawkins, 18, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds and receipt of a stolen firearm.
A spokesperson for the Virginia Beach police department said an administrator notified a school resource officer at 7:35 a.m. about a “concerning picture” on social media. Walton said the picture prompted the search of two students. The handgun was found in Hawkins’ backpack.
The firearm was turned over to police, who determined it had been stolen in Chesapeake.
Walton said students and staff may be experiencing heightened anxieties as this incident closely follows the the school shooting in Nashville on Monday, in which three children and three adults were killed.
 
Kavonta Hawkins
BLACK

Per News13 video on youtube
N Kavonte Hawkins.png

In jailhouse interview, Bayside High student says he had no plans to use gun found in his backpack​

Story by Catherine Rogers, Anne Sparaco (13News Now)

A day after being arrested when a loaded handgun was found in his backpack at Bayside High School, 18-year-old Kevonta Hawkins spoke with 13News Now from Virginia Beach city jail.
He is charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds and receipt of a stolen firearm, according to city police.

Police said the gun was stolen out of Chesapeake but did not know how Hawkins got ahold of it.

On Thursday, Hawkins told 13News Now that he got the gun from his cousin, who had asked him to hold onto it for a while. He said he didn't know the gun was stolen.

Hawkins said he lives with his aunt and "didn't want to disrespect her" by bringing the gun into her home, so he took it to school. He said he had no plans to ever use the gun and just wanted to get it out of his aunt's house.

Bayside High School's principal said in a message to parents Wednesday that a "concerning picture on social media" reported to the school's administration was what prompted them to search two students. That's when the loaded gun was found.





A day after being arrested when a loaded handgun was found in his backpack at Bayside High School, 18-year-old Kevonta Hawkins spoke with 13News Now from Virginia Beach city jail.

He is charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds and receipt of a stolen firearm, according to city police.
Police said the gun was stolen out of Chesapeake but did not know how Hawkins got ahold of it.
On Thursday, Hawkins told 13News Now that he got the gun from his cousin, who had asked him to hold onto it for a while. He said he didn't know the gun was stolen.
RELATED: Bayside High student charged after loaded gun found at school
Hawkins said he lives with his aunt and "didn't want to disrespect her" by bringing the gun into her home, so he took it to school. He said he had no plans to ever use the gun and just wanted to get it out of his aunt's house.
Bayside High School's principal said in a message to parents Wednesday that a "concerning picture on social media" reported to the school's administration was what prompted them to search two students. That's when the loaded gun was found.


Regarding the social media post, Hawkins told 13News Now that he was just filming an Instagram live video and had the gun on him but wasn’t pointing the gun or saying anything that would be considered a threat. He said he was just blasting music and the gun could be seen in the video.
He would not speak about what school officials did when they approached him Wednesday and searched him.

When asked if he understood that, in light of school shootings and school threats happening across the country, this type of action can cause alarm, the 18-year-old said he didn't realize it would scare anyone.

Hawkins said he was aware that bringing a gun to school is illegal.

No students or school staff were hurt.

A school spokesperson confirmed to 13News Now that the school doesn't have metal detectors.
 
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