A Tampa high school faced a security breach just after noon when one of its students was discovered carrying loaded firearms. Antwan Colding, a 15-year-old student at Blake High School, was arrested and charged with possession of weapons on school grounds, Tampa Police Department confirmed. The weapons were uncovered during a search of students who staff had found vaping in a school restroom. It was reported that no threats were made to individuals or the institution, and no injuries were sustained in the incident.
While investigating the use of e-cigarettes, the Tampa Police School Resource Officer at Blake High School stumbled upon the handguns in Colding's possession. According to the Tampa Police Department, Colding, whose birthdate is listed as September 24, 2008, has been charged with two counts of weapon possession on school grounds and is currently en route to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Tampa Police Department continue to work to understand how the young Colding got hold of the guns in what they describe as an ongoing investigation. As an additional measure to prevent similar incidents, the department has highlighted their initiative "Project: Locked & Unloaded", offering free gun locks at various locations across the city as a form of promoting safer gun ownership.
Tampa Police Department urges individuals with firearms to take advantage of their complimentary gun locks available at all Tampa Police District Offices, the Headquarters, and select city libraries.
