FLORIDA — Two teenagers were arrested Thursday after a gun was found on the campus of Bartow High School and a threatening social media post was later discovered, according to authorities.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the incident began when a school assistant principal was escorting a 17-year-old student to the dean’s office regarding a reported suspicious encounter with another student.
Before reaching the office, deputies said the student ran toward the school’s track field. The assistant principal reported seeing the student stop and crouch near a trash can, where he appeared to place a dark metal object resembling a firearm.
A school resource deputy responded and searched the trash can, where authorities said they found a Glock 48, 9mm handgun along with four cannabis resin vape cartridges.
According to arrest documents, the teen later admitted the handgun belonged to him.
The 17-year-old was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center. He faces multiple charges, including possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a firearm by a minor, disrupting a school function, possession of cannabis with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school, unlawful carry of a concealed firearm and tampering with physical evidence.
Deputies said a second student, the boy’s 14-year-old girlfriend, was also arrested after making a threatening post on social media following his arrest.
According to investigators, the girl posted an image of Bartow High School with a message that read, “Deeda— needa take ts down it’s not even funny 100 100 100 now im finna shoot ts up.”
Students reported the post to school staff, who then notified authorities.
Deputies said the girl admitted the account belonged to her and told investigators she made the post out of anger.
She was arrested and charged with making an electronic threat using a two-way communication device.
The investigation remains ongoing.
