Tenoroc High Student Arrested For Bringing Loaded Gun To School

LAKELAND, FL - A school resource deputy arrested a 16-year-old freshman at Tenoroc High School on Wednesday for bringing a loaded gun to school, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The girl was charged with possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent, possession of a weapon on school grounds, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm with an altered/removed serial number, disruption of a school function and resisting arrest.

According to the affidavit, the girl was spotted by students with a gun tucked into her waistband. Some students reported it to school administration staff, who immediately reported it to the school resource deputy. The deputy responded to the student's classroom and searched her - the gun was not on her at that time. When asked, the girl told the deputy she did not have a backpack. The teacher then pointed out her backpack to the deputy. A 9 mm handgun was found in the backpack, with one round in the magazine, and one round in the chamber. The serial number was scratched off the gun.

At the time the gun was found, the girl became aggressive, cursing and yelling. She was taken into custody and transported to the juvenile facility.

She's currently on probation for battery on a law enforcement officer and assault.

The sheriff's office said the girl's history includes prior arrests for: battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on education employee, petit theft, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia and violation of probation.

"The school staff and our school resource deputy did an outstanding job quickly locating and confiscating the weapon. Given the seriousness of this student’s criminal history and current charges, we are going to do everything we can to make sure the criminal justice system holds her accountable, " said Sheriff Grady Judd.

Polk County School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd issued this statement:

"We thank Tenoroc High's students, staff and school resource deputy for acting quickly when reports surfaced of a weapon on campus. Through their efforts, the firearm was recovered before anyone could be threatened or injured. We will continue to cooperate with our partners in law enforcement to ensure our schools are safe places for learning."

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