Two juveniles arrested for firearm possession at Santa Fe High School
Release from Alachua Police Department
ALACHUA, Fla. – On February 26 at approximately 4:40 p.m., Alachua Police officers responded to Santa Fe High School after receiving a report that a female student had brandished a firearm in the school parking lot during an after-hours school function. The caller provided a description of the suspect vehicle, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, and its license plate and stated that both occupants had entered the school. Officers arrived on campus shortly after and located the vehicle leaving.
Officers conducted a felony traffic stop at NW 171st Pl and NW CR 235A. The two juvenile occupants complied with officer commands and were safely taken into custody. During the investigation, officers learned that a loaded handgun was inside the locked glove compartment of the vehicle. One juvenile admitted unlocking the compartment, allowing the other to retrieve and display the firearm before taking possession of it again. The second juvenile denied involvement.
The firearm, which belonged to the parents of one of the juveniles, was safely recovered, and officers confirmed it had six rounds of live ammunition in the magazine. The weapon was seized as evidence.
Both juveniles were arrested, charged with Possession of a Weapon on School Property (F.S.S. 790.115.2b), and transported to the Alachua County Juvenile Detention Center.
Chief Sandusky stated, “The safety of the students and school campuses is a top priority for the Alachua Police Department. We have zero tolerance for weapons on school property and will take swift action to ensure a secure learning environment for everyone.”
You can lock a glove compartment these days?
And in days past too.
Can’t have a firearm in a vehicle though. Those days are long gone. Too many stupid people in society.
In a vehicle on school grounds that is.
Florida State Statute 790.115 allows for a legally possesed gun (weapon) to be in a vehicle even if on school property.
In this case, the gun was not legally possesed (underage) AND the gun was displayed. Hence the arrest.
As a parent you DO NOT have to worry about being arrested at a school function for a having a gun in your car as long as you are keeping it there.
Also FWIW, the City of Alachua recently illegally arrested an individual who was in legal possession of a gun and that case was dismissed. Chief Sandusky rightfully issued a legal bulltin to his officers with the correct direction for this type of action.
So funny. Years ago many kids had their rifles in their trucks on school property. At Santa Fe. Oh yeah, times has changed. Got it.
Aww I miss my girls, all keep y’all heads up, and y’all going to be okay 🤍