A student was detained and subsequently arrested at Fort Pierce Westwood High School after a loaded gun was found in his backpack, authorities confirmed. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were already present on the scene due to an ongoing administrative investigation by the school’s dean concerning two students when the firearm was located yesterday. CBS12 provided the detail that the weapon, identified as a 9mm pistol, prompted immediate detention of the students involved.
Detailed by the Sheriff's Office, the discovery of the gun was during a routine search of one student’s backpack by a school dean, as school resource deputies looked on. As the backpack was being searched, the arresting of the student followed swiftly. "The safety and security of all students and staff remain the highest priority for the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office," Sheriff Richard Del Toro stated in a release shared with CBS12. "No weapon belongs on a school campus, and we are committed to doing everything necessary to keep our schools safe."
Following the incident, Principal David Alfonso sent a message to parents reiterating the severity of the situation. "We will not tolerate students bringing weapons to campus and we have systems in place to ensure we catch students that do," he stated. Alfonso's message, as reported by TCPalm, emphasized the outcome for such an infraction, stating that those who bring "a firearm to campus will be arrested and will face severe consequences with the recommendation for expulsion based on the Student Code of Conduct."
Officials have not released extensive details regarding the motive or circumstances surrounding the incident at this time. However, the student arrested is a boy, according to Lt. Andrew Bolonka, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department, told TCPalm. Further information pertaining to the case remains limited as the investigation continues.
