A 16-year-old Spoto High School student has been taken into custody after a firearm was discovered inside his backpack on campus. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident happened around 11:15 a.m. yesterday, October 14 after receiving a tip about the student being armed. According to Country Herald, upon a search conducted by the school administrators and a school resource deputy, they found a pistol with a magazine loaded with seven 9mm rounds; however, the chamber of the weapon was not loaded.
In a statement obtained by WTSP, Sheriff Chad Chronister commended the prompt actions of the deputy and school staff which "stopped a potentially dangerous situation before anyone was harmed." The sheriff emphasized an unflinching stance on this matter: "Let me be clear: weapons will never be tolerated in our schools." He further made an appeal to parents to converse with their children about the severe implications of bringing weapons onto school premises.
The student is now facing charges, which include one count of possession of a weapon on school grounds. While there were no immediate threats made with the firearm, the sheriffs are continuing their investigation into the incident. Additional details are expected to be released as they become available, with the sheriff's office assuring public updates on the matter.
"Parents, talk to your children and make sure they understand that bringing a weapon to school is not only illegal, it puts lives at risk," Sheriff Chronister told Tampa Bay 28.
