UPDATE: Gun found on West Bladen campus reported stolen, teen faces new charges

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The gun found in a West Bladen High School teenager’s car had been reported stolen the day before, according to a release from the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

Gabriel James McDowell, 16, of Clarkton, is accused of bringing a gun on campus Wednesday morning.

The sheriff’s office says a homeowner reported a breaking and entering in the 2700 block of NC Hwy 410 S. in Bladenboro on Tuesday. The homeowner had two weapons stolen. One of them was the gun McDowell had in his car.

McDowell faces these additional charges:

• Felonious breaking and entering
• Felonious larceny
• Felonious possession of stolen goods
• Larceny of a firearm
• Possession of a stolen firearm

Investigators say the school resource officer received a tip someone was bringing a gun to campus. Wednesday morning they set up metal detectors for staff and students to walk through. Deputies say McDowell saw the extra security and put his backpack back in his car. They searched his car and found the gun.

His first appearance is today in Bladen County.