A Fayette County High School student just hours away from graduating Friday was charged with carrying a weapon on school grounds. Though arrested at a location on North Glynn Street, Jarmon Elder told officers the handgun had been in his vehicle while he had been at the school attending graduation practice.

Eighteen-year-old Fayetteville resident Jarmon Stitinous Elder was charged with carrying a weapon on school grounds, obstruction and a noise violation, according to Fayetteville Police spokesperson Steve Crawshaw.

The incident began at approximately 11 a.m. as an officer in the vicinity of a vehicle stopped at a light on North Glynn Street heard loud music coming from the car, Crawshaw said. The vehicle turned into a shopping center and the officer turned into a nearby fast food restaurant, Crawshaw said.

The officer observed Elder pulling into a parking space, then pulling out as the patrol car approached. Elder then pulled the Oldsmobile into another parking space, said Crawshaw. Police reports indicate that Elder then exited the vehicle and walked past several businesses while on his cell phone.

The officer approached Elder, who asked if the music had been too loud. The officer asked Elder why he was at the shopping center and was told he was going to J&R Clothing, reports said.

During the conversation, Elder remarked that he thought he was going to get a ticket for loud music, as had been the case in Union City, Crawshaw said.

As the two walked toward the Oldsmobile, Elder kept putting his hands in his pockets, even though the officer asked him not to, reports said.

The officer then asked Elder what was in his pockets. Elder removed several items, including a .38 caliber bullet, said Crawshaw.

The officer asked Elder if he had a weapon in the car and was told that he did not. The officer then asked if he could search the vehicle and was told by Elder that a handgun was located in the center console, according to reports. The officer retrieved the handgun, Crawshaw said.

Also during the conversation, Elder told the officer he had been at graduation practice earlier that morning, reports said. Responding to other questions, Elder first told the officer he had parked off school property when at graduation practice, then said he had parked on FCHS property.

Elder did not attend the Friday night graduation, according to school system spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach.