VARINA, VA May 22 2013
![Austin Martin (Source: Henrico Police)]( "Austin Martin (Source: Henrico Police)")
A Varina High School student is accused of using a gun to kidnap a 16-year-old classmate from the school's parking lot.
18-year-old Austin Martin was trying to speak to the teenage girl in the parking lot around 8:45 a.m. Monday, but police say when she refused he pulled out a gun. He drove her to a home seven miles away, until she managed to escape a few hours later. Martin ran out of the home and that's when police caught him.
Martin is charged with abduction, use of a firearm in the commission of abduction, brandishing a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm on school property.
Henrico School officials say they were aware of the event Monday, but confirmed the incident with police Tuesday afternoon. Police and school officials both believe there was no threat to other students or school personnel existed.
"It has long been the practice of HCPS to make timely notification to our stakeholders. As always, we must be diligent in gathering and verifying the full facts as we understand them in order to communicate accurate information," said Andy Jenks, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Henrico County Public Schools in a statement. "In this case, we also took into consideration morning SOL testing and the need for our students to take their exams with minimal distractions. School staff was aware early on in order to assist students who may have been concerned."
Source: WWBT
A Varina High School student is accused of using a gun to kidnap a 16-year-old classmate from the school's parking lot.18-year-old Austin Martin was trying to speak to the teenage girl in the parking lot around 8:45 a.m. Monday, but police say when she refused he pulled out a gun. He drove her to a home seven miles away, until she managed to escape a few hours later. Martin ran out of the home and that's when police caught him.
Martin is charged with abduction, use of a firearm in the commission of abduction, brandishing a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm on school property.
Henrico School officials say they were aware of the event Monday, but confirmed the incident with police Tuesday afternoon. Police and school officials both believe there was no threat to other students or school personnel existed.
"It has long been the practice of HCPS to make timely notification to our stakeholders. As always, we must be diligent in gathering and verifying the full facts as we understand them in order to communicate accurate information," said Andy Jenks, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Henrico County Public Schools in a statement. "In this case, we also took into consideration morning SOL testing and the need for our students to take their exams with minimal distractions. School staff was aware early on in order to assist students who may have been concerned."
Source: WWBT