A student at Ridge View High School in Columbia sustained a minor injury on Wednesday afternoon following an incident involving an airsoft pistol, commonly referred to as a BB gun, discharged on school grounds. The incident, which occurred inside a vehicle on the school’s campus, triggered an immediate response from Ridge View High School staff and local law enforcement.
According to officials from Richland County School District Two, the incident took place during school hours and involved two students. The injured student received prompt medical attention at the scene and was later released with what authorities have described as a “minor, non-life-threatening injury.”
The airsoft pistol, while not a traditional firearm, closely resembles real guns and is capable of firing plastic pellets at high speeds. Though typically marketed for recreational use, these devices can cause injury if misused, particularly at close range. In this case, school administrators have confirmed that the BB gun was discharged within a parked vehicle on campus property.
School security personnel responded swiftly upon being alerted, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was immediately contacted to investigate the situation. Deputies arrived on scene shortly thereafter, securing the area and beginning a formal inquiry into the incident.
“Safety is our highest priority,” said a spokesperson for Richland School District Two in a statement released Wednesday evening. “We take all incidents involving weapons — including imitation or non-lethal weapons like airsoft guns — very seriously. Disciplinary measures will follow the district’s code of conduct, and law enforcement is conducting a thorough review to determine if charges are appropriate.”
Law enforcement officials have not released the identity of either student involved, citing the ongoing investigation and the age of those involved. It is not yet clear whether the discharge of the airsoft gun was accidental or intentional, though preliminary statements suggest no broader threat to students or staff.
Parents of Ridge View High School students were notified of the incident via an alert sent through the district’s communication system. The school also reiterated its commitment to campus safety and reminded families of its zero-tolerance policy toward weapons of any kind on school property.
Wednesday’s event underscores ongoing concerns about the presence of realistic-looking weapons on school campuses and the confusion and fear they can cause. Experts and school safety advocates have long warned about the dangers posed by airsoft and similar replica firearms, especially in an age where quick responses by security and police could lead to escalated situations.
Richland County deputies are continuing to investigate the matter and are working in coordination with school administrators to determine the appropriate next steps. Additional security measures may be introduced in the coming days, and counselors have been made available for any students who may need support following the incident.
School officials have not announced whether the student responsible will face suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary actions, pending the outcome of the investigation.
More information will be provided as the situation develops.
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