BRANDON, Fla. — Two teenagers were taken into custody by deputies after they brought a BB gun to an elementary school in Florida.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, just before 12:30 p.m. when the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a report from the principal of Schmidt Elementary School in Brandon about two men seen on campus, one of them carrying what appeared to be a rifle.
As it was during summer classes, the school was immediately put on lockdown to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found the two teenagers near the school’s drop-off area. They swiftly issued loud verbal commands, instructing the teenagers to drop the firearm and lie on the ground. Both complied with the orders and were apprehended without incident.
Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the deputies for their exceptional professionalism and quick response in the face of potential danger on the campus. The weapon in question was later identified as a BB gun with an optic scope, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Chronister issued a strong warning about the seriousness of bringing any type of firearm to a school campus. He emphasized that the safety of students and staff is their utmost priority, and they take any reports of firearms very seriously.
The Sheriff stated that those who make threats or bring guns onto school grounds will face swift and decisive action, with arrests made to ensure a secure and nurturing learning environment for everyone.
As a result of the incident, 18-year-old Kelvin Dupree and a 14-year-old boy were arrested and now face multiple charges, including exhibiting a weapon on school property, trespassing on school property with a weapon, and disrupting a school/lawful assembly.
