Gun recovered from student’s backpack prompts lockdown at Dominion Middle School in Columbus, district says

Lockdown followed student tip; police and school staff located a firearm during a locker search

A firearm was found Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, inside a student’s backpack at Dominion Middle School in Columbus after a student tip prompted school officials to initiate a lockdown and request police assistance.

Columbus City Schools officials said the lockdown began at about 9:15 a.m. and ended about 10:15 a.m. During that window, staff and law enforcement searched a backpack inside a locker and recovered a gun. District officials reported no known threat was made against the school and did not publicly identify the type of firearm recovered.

Officials said the student believed to have brought the weapon onto campus left the scene before authorities could take the student into custody. By late morning, the district said the campus had been cleared and the school returned to regular operations, with families to be notified.

What is known about the incident so far

• Location: Dominion Middle School, Columbus.
• Date and timeframe: Wednesday, February 25, 2026; approximately 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Discovery: A gun was found in a student’s backpack during a search of a locker.
• Origin of response: A student tip led to the lockdown and search.
• Immediate safety assessment: District officials reported no known threat had been made.
• Suspect status: The student alleged to have brought the weapon fled; charges and school discipline had not been determined as of midday Wednesday.

How schools typically respond when a weapon is suspected

Lockdowns are a standard protective measure used to limit movement and allow staff and law enforcement to secure a campus while information is verified. In this case, the district described a targeted search leading to the recovery of the weapon, after which the lockdown was lifted and normal operations resumed.

Officials said the discovery began with a student report and concluded with a search that recovered a gun from a backpack stored in a locker.

What remains unresolved

Key details remain unconfirmed publicly, including the specific type of firearm, how it entered the school, and whether any additional individuals were involved. District officials indicated disciplinary steps and potential criminal charges were still under review, while police said an additional update would be provided later Wednesday.

Until authorities release more information, the public record on the case is limited to the timeline of the lockdown, the recovery of the weapon, and the status of the student suspected of bringing the gun to school.