Schools

Tarpon High Student Arrested for Bringing Gun to School

Dre'Tonio Greer, 16, was arrested after a Tarpon Springs School Resource Officer was tipped off that he was carrying a gun on campus.

Around 8 a.m. on Monday, May 6, Tarpon Springs School Resource Officer Taureen Mathis followed an anonymous tip he received that a student at  Tarpon High was carrying around a handgun on school property.

That tip led Mathis to 16-year-old Dre'Tonio Greer's classroom. Greer was removed from class and escorted to Mathis' office where he was questioned about the anonymous tip.

According to Tarpon Springs Police Department, Greer admitted he was carrying a firearm and turned it over to Mathis without resistance. 

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Officers say the .32 Berretta, which was found in Greer's pocket, had three rounds in the magazine, but there were no rounds in the chamber of the weapon. 

After Greer was read his Miranda rights, he told police that he was carrying the gun for protection. Greer said he was having "ongoing problems" outside of school with fellow Tarpon Springs High School students. 

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Officers added that Greer stated he found the weapon in some bushes a few days ago while walking on Meres Boulevard during after school hours. 

There were no threats made on campus during the day of the incident and school resumed as normal, according to Capt. Jeffrey Young.

Greer, who turns 17 on May 9, was arrested and charged with two felonies, possessing a firearm on school grounds and carrying a concealed weapon.

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