Update: 10:06a
BARTOW, FL — A student at Bartow High School was arrested Thursday morning after he discarded a loaded handgun and THC vapes while fleeing from school staff, according to school officials.
The incident occurred before school started when the student was observed participating in a transaction on campus. After being stopped and escorted to the office, he ran from staff, discarded several items, and was quickly apprehended.
School personnel located and secured the discarded items, which included a loaded handgun and THC vapes. The student was arrested and faces serious consequences.
Bartow High School was briefly placed on heightened security due to the law enforcement activity. The heightened security has since been lifted, and the school has returned to normal operations. Additional deputies will remain on campus throughout the day as a precaution. Nothing further at this time.
ARREST AFFIDAVIT
PRB_CAUS On April 2, 2026, at approximately — hours, I was asked to respond to Bartow High School located at 1270 Broadway Ave S, Bartow, FL, in reference to a firearm located on campus. Upon arrival, I learned the student, later identified as Tavares Antonio Hall, B/M, DOB 04/23/2008, was being escorted to the dean’s office in reference to what appeared to be a suspicious encounter with another student in building 47.
Prior to reaching the Dean’s office, the suspect ran to the track field, where high school students should not be after the school start bell. School staff yelled for the suspect to stop. The suspect then stopped and crouched near a trash can.
A school resource deputy was contacted and responded to the area. In the trash can, the deputy located four Cannabis Resin Vapes and a Glock 48, 9 mm handgun bearing serial number BVIEL480. The firearm was checked through FCIC/NCIC and was clear.
While the suspect was detained, he spontaneously admitted that the handgun belonged to him.
Based on the above facts, Tavares is being charged with the following:
Possession of a weapon on school property – Tavares had a Glock 48 9mm firearm on his person, which he eventually disposed of in a trash can on school grounds.
Possession of a firearm by a minor – Tavares is 17 years old.
Disrupting a school function – Multiple staff were removed from normal duties; the school was placed on lockdown.
Possession of cannabis with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school – Tavares had four vapes and a large amount of U.S. currency ($25 in his front pocket, $467 in a hidden jacket pocket).
Unlawful carry of a concealed firearm – Tavares attempted to flee with the firearm on his person.
Tampering with physical evidence – Tavares attempted to discard the firearm and THC vapes in a trash can.
Tavares Hall was arrested and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center without incident.
— Initial Report 8:00a —
A firearm was located in a trash can on the campus of Bartow High School this morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the incident at approximately 7 a.m. The school was placed on heightened security briefly during the law enforcement activity, but the heightened security has since been lifted.
Polk County Public Schools issued the following statement on behalf of Bartow High: “All students and staff are safe. The school was on heightened security this morning due to law enforcement activity on campus. Deputies are still present on campus, but heightened security has been lifted. We will follow up with additional information, but please know that all students and staff are safe.”
This is a developing situation. Further updates will come from the Sheriff’s Office.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE & POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
