A 17 year-old student has been arrested for having a handgun on the campus of Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Florida.
The school resource officer at Boca Ciega High School arrested the student after finding a handgun in his backpack.
Acting on a tip from other students indicating that the teen may have had drugs, school administrators pulled him from class and conducted a search with the school resource officer. When they found the loaded, .40-caliber, Glock handgun in his backpack, the officer seized the firearm and placed him under arrest. There were no drugs found in his possession.
The student has been removed from campus and has been charged with felony possession of a weapon and ammunition on school property.
Police say there was never any indication that he displayed or threatened to use the weapon. He said that he purchased the it from a friend for personal protection. Detectives continue to investigate.
By agreement with the Pinellas County School Board, the Gulfport Police Department assigns two sworn officers to Boca Ciega High School on a daily basis.