School Gun Arrests Made At 2 Tampa-Area High Schools: Officials

TAMPA, FL — Two teens were arrested on gun-related charges at two separate Tampa-area high schools on Monday, according to local law enforcement agencies.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested for bringing a weapon to campus at Armwood High School and resisting arrest, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Just before 2 p.m., the school resource deputy received a tip from administration that the boy brought a gun to the school.

When approached by the deputy, the teen refused to comply with commands to drop his backpack and tried to run down the hallway, HCSO said.

Deputies used a Taser on the boy before arresting him. When searching his bag, the deputy found a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun.

He was taken to the hospital for medical clearance before being transferred to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

That same day, a 13-year-old student stole the backpack containing a loaded handgun that belonged to a gym teacher at Sligh Middle School, Tampa police said.

The teacher, Akeen Barthol, 32, was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds and allowing a minor to obtain a firearm to possess on school grounds. He was booked into Orient Road Jail.

The teen was charged with grand theft of a firearm and booked into the Juvenile Assessment Center.

Barthol left the backpack unsecured in a gym storage room that was accessible to students, police said.

The 13-year-old took the backpack from the storage area without permission and took it to a nearby restroom.The student removed personal items from the bag, leaving it and the gun behind, police.

Another student who later used the bathroom found the bag and the gun and told school staff, which notified the school resource officer.