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Coconut Creek, FL - A 15-year-old student was apprehended by authorities on the inaugural day of classes in Broward County after being found in possession of a firearm at Coconut Creek High School.
Coconut Creek police confirmed the teenager's arrest around 1:15 p.m. on Monday.
Acting on an anonymous tip provided by a fellow student, law enforcement located the gun inside the student's backpack.
The student is facing a total of three charges, including two felony charges of carrying a firearm/weapon and school disruption.
Scotty Leaman, a spokesperson from the Coconut Creek Police Department, clarified that there's no evidence to suggest that the student had threatened anyone on the campus with the gun, stating "we don’t have any indication right now that I know of that the student waved it around or threatened anybody with it, but still the bottom line is you can’t bring these things to school no matter who you are."
Superintendent Peter Licata said of Monday's arrest "the school’s leadership immediately placed the school on Lockdown status and worked with law enforcement to safely recover the weapon from the student’s backpack. This incident did not involve any threats toward the school, its students or any staff. The student was arrested by law enforcement and is facing appropriate school disciplinary actions."
Superintendent Licata noted that the school's response to the incident, including the swift and organized lockdown procedure, was well-received by the student body.