2 Leto Students Arrested For Bringing Gun On Campus

CARROLLWOOD, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two students at Leto High School, 4409 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, who were caught with a firearm on the school campus.

On Friday morning, Dec. 6, two boys were taken to the administrative office after someone reported they may have been smoking on campus. Once they were taken to the office, administrators searched the backpack of one of the students. At that time, the other student stepped away, claiming he needed to charge his cell phone. He stepped out of the office and was seen by a school employee talking to a female student and passing an object from his backpack to hers. The employee reported the suspicious exchange to an administrator.

Administrators searched the backpacks of both students and found a firearm in the female student’s backpack in addition to bullets matching the firearm in the male student’s backpack.

The students are each charged with felony possession of a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm under the age of 18.

"I commend the school staff member who had the intuition to know that something wasn't right and the courage to speak up. We say it all the time: 'See Something, Say Something,'" said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The intention these students had for the firearm are unknown at this time, but I'm thankful that we were able to find the gun and take them into custody before anything could occur."