On Thursday at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers with the NCPD K-9 Unit arrested a juvenile on multiple firearm-related charges following an incident near one of our Walmart stores.

An officer working an off-duty assignment at Walmart received a dispatched call regarding a firearm at a neighboring business. An officer responded and located a vehicle matching the description leaving the area. The officer followed the vehicle, which attempted to elude him in the parking lot before a traffic stop was conducted.

Both the driver and passenger were instructed to exit the vehicle. The passenger attempted to grab a bookbag from inside the vehicle and flee on foot. After a brief struggle, the juvenile was detained.

A firearm was discovered in plain view inside the open bookbag. The juvenile was identified as being under the age of 18. The firearm was unloaded; however, a magazine containing five live rounds was also located. The weapon was reported stolen out of Dorchester County.

The juvenile was charged with:

• Possession of a Pistol by a Person Under 18
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm

He was transported to the Charleston County Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).