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.
— 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
