A Leesburg High School student has been taken into custody following the discovery of a loaded firearm in their backpack during an unannounced routine check at the school yesterday, reports indicate. According to WESH, this incident unfolded as school resource officers conducted a standard contraband inspection with the assistance of a drug-sniffing canine from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The K-9, trained to detect vapes, made an indication on the student's backpack, which directed officials to search the bag, revealing a loaded 9mm Glock firearm that was later identified as stolen. During the check, the K-9 also alerted officers to the presence of a vape in the backpack, which is what led to the discovery of the firearm. As the situation escalated, the ninth-grade student was arrested by the school resource officers, marking a sharp turn in what was a routine security measure. The investigation into this matter remains active and ongoing.
Notably, the K-9 named Samba and its handler, Erica Stamborski, have been previously recognized for their work in Lake County schools. In a statement detailed by ClickOrlando, the Lake County Sheriff's Office expressed their pride in the team, saying, "We are incredibly proud of K9 Samba's and Handler Stamborski's efforts and their unwavering dedication to ensuring a safe learning environment for children in Lake County." Just a week before the incident, they had received the Back the Blue Award from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
