A 16-year-old student has been charged after a firearm was found in a vehicle on school property following an altercation at Grissom High School, according to the Huntsville Police Department.

The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the school on Haysland Road, when a school resource officer and Huntsville City Schools staff responded to a fight inside the building.

Police said the altercation involved two students in a hallway. During the response, officials received information that a nearby student, who was not involved in the fight, may have had a firearm.

That student was quickly identified, stopped and detained as the investigation began.

A search of the student did not uncover a weapon. However, investigators later learned the student had gone to a vehicle shortly after the altercation. A subsequent search of that vehicle led to the discovery of a firearm.

Sgt. Chris Jackson told 256 Today the student who was charged was in close proximity to the fight but was not one of the individuals involved.

“He was in the immediate vicinity,” Jackson said. “So what I mean by that is, you have people fighting and then you have people who are in the area.”

Jackson confirmed the student is 16-years-old and was taken to the Robert Neese Detention Center for processing.

Police said the student is charged with certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm. 

“What I can tell you is that a firearm was recovered and that the person that was responsible for having that firearm was charged,” Jackson said.

Officials declined to release additional details about the weapon, including whether it was loaded, citing the ongoing investigation.

“That’s part of the investigation, part of the documents that will be brought in court,” Jackson said.  

Authorities emphasized there is no ongoing threat to students or staff.

Because the case involves a juvenile, no further information has been released.