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ROBINSON CREEK, Ky. — While faculty, staff and students at Shelby Valley High School were gearing up for the school day this morning, some noticed a suspicious man walking around the parking lot. The man was wearing all black and carrying a black backpack. 

About the time he was spotted, a Pike County sheriff’s deputy was pulling in for his morning patrol.

“Come to find out, the guy has a warrant on him out of Harlan County,” said Pike County Sheriff Rodney Scott. “He gave the deputy permission to search his backpack. He found several types of drugs and a lot of drug paraphernalia.”

He was also carrying a loaded handgun.

The event took place just before the start of the school day. Sheriff Rodney Scott says the situation was resolved without incident.

An active shooter training class was held at Shelby Valley High School just two days ago. Superintendent Reed Adkins says tips from the class and the help of the sheriff’s office made the situation diffuse quickly and effectively.

“I want to commend my staff, my students and also the sheriff’s department on a job well done,” said Adkins. “They did a great job handling the situation. And, I feel like the fact that we’ve trained our staff and our students to the level we have, it really assisted and helped in the situation this morning.”

Adkins added nothing is more important than the safety of the students.

“We will push this situation to the fullest extent,” Adkins added. “Anybody that comes around our school and creates a dangerous situation for our students, we will push.”

Michael Balke, 37, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.

He was charged with possession of a handgun by a conviction felon, carrying a concealed weapon, several drug-related offenses, promoting contraband and trafficking within 1,000 feet of a school.