Boca Ciega Student Arrested After Loaded Gun Found In Backpack

GULFPORT, FL -- A 17-year-old Boca Ciega High School student has been arrested after bringing a loaded handgun to school in his backpack.

Acting on a tip from other students indicating that the teen may have had drugs, school administrators pulled him out of class and conducted a search with the school resource officer.

They found a loaded, .40-caliber Glock handgun in the teen's backpack. The SRO seized the firearm and placed the teen under arrest. There were no drugs found in his possession.

The teen was removed from campus and charged with felony possession of a weapon and ammunition on school property. The police are continuing their investigation.

There was never any indication that the teen displayed or threatened to use the weapon. He said that he purchased it from a friend for personal protection.

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.