CHS student arrested after gun, marijuana found in vehicle

By John Clayton | January 15, 2025 |

Jalen Shands

An 18-year-old Clinton High School student was in jail Wednesday after a firearm and marijuana were discovered in a vehicle belonging to the student in the student parking lot.

Jalen Shands was taken into custody and transported to the Johnson Detention Center where he is awaiting a bond hearing scheduled for Thursday morning.
According to a release from Laurens County School District 56 and Clinton Police, the high school’s School Resource Officer was called around 10:10 a.m. after a routine search of the student parking lot using a school-contracted K-9 unit led to the discovery of the loaded firearm and marijuana in Shands’ vehicle.

Shands was retrieved by Clinton Police from a CHS classroom and booked into the detention center.

He was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a stolen firearm and simple marijuana possession.

The firearm was confirmed as reported stolen in North Carolina.

“We are committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students and staff,” said Clinton Police Chief Michael Addison. “We will continue to work closely with School District 56 staff to ensure incidents like this are handled swiftly and appropriately.”