Friday, April 11, 2008

West Orange freshman arrested for bringing gun to school


Willoughby Mariano

Sentinel Staff Writer

6:00 PM EDT, April 11, 2008

A 15-year-old West Orange High student was arrested for bringing an unloaded gun to school, according to a report released Friday.

Classmates reported to school authorities that the freshman was showing the gun off in class at about 9:40 a.m. Thursday, so deputies at the Winter Garden school searched him and his locker, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office report.

The silver, .25-caliber, semi-automatic handgun was found beneath gym clothes inside the boy's locker.

The freshman was arrested on one count of possession of a weapon on school grounds.

The gun was not loaded, and deputies found no ammunition. The teen did not threaten classmates with the gun, witnesses said.

The boy told authorities he found the weapon on the street in Pine Hills. A relative said it may have been taken from the family's collection, which they keep locked up in their home.

The teen was suspended for 10 days and will be recommended for expulsion, an Orange County School District spokeswoman said.

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