Crime & Safety
Firework Shooter Identified At St. Petersburg High School: Police
St. Petersburg High School students and teachers ran from the buildings when they heard a series of "pops" that sounded like gunshots.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Update: At 12:12 Thursday, law enforcement officials received information that gunshots were being heard at St. Petersburg High School, St. Pete police said.
Roughly 30 seconds later,a school resource officer confirmed that fireworks had been set off in one of the school's stairwells, investigators said. While students and staff quickly exited the building, no one was injured.
A 17-year-old student is responsible for setting off the fireworks, officers said. He faces one misdemeanor charge of disruption of a school function, in addition to sanctions from the school, detectives said.
"I saw a student run after hearing the first pop with as I would say as if he seen death with his own eyes. After the second pop, all the students began to run," Anthony Costanzo, a St. Petersburg High School student, posted on Patch. "The feeling kicked in and realization set in, then I yelled for everyone to run. As everyone was running I saw people jumping fences, and hiding as more pops began to go off."
The St. Petersburg Police Department said it takes any potential threat to schools seriously, and would like to remind everyone of the seriousness of engaging in activity that would cause mass hysteria or harm to students. If you see something, please say something.
You can reach St. Pete Police Department at 727-893-7780. You can also send an anonymous message by texting the letters "SPPD" and your tip to TIP411.
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*Due the suspect being a minor, Patch will not release his name nor will the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Original Patch Story:
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A student at St. Petersburg High School set off fireworks inside a stairwell Thursday afternoon, school staff told Patch.
The fireworks were mistaken for gunshots, a staff member said.
If you are a parent trying to reach the school to check on your child, the phone lines might be tied up for a bit. The staff said they are mainly leaving phone lines open for parents.
This is a developing story. Patch will keep you updated.
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