Lennard High On Lockdown After Student Brings Gun To School

RUSKIN, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the moments that led up to a high school lockdown in Ruskin Thursday.

Around 10:30 a.m. deputies were alerted to a man who arrived at South Bay Hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Detectives determined the man accidentally shot himself while in the parking lot of Lennard High School, 2342 E Shell Point Road, Ruskin.

Deputies immediately contacted the school resource deputy, who alerted the school administration, at which point school administrators placed the school on lockdown through Centegix, a push-button crisis-alert system being used in Hillsborough County schools.

During a preliminary investigation, detectives learned the man was a former student who visited campus daily to meet with a friend, a 17-year-old current student. On Thursday morning, the former student got into 17-year-old's vehicle, discovered a firearm and subsequently shot himself accidentally.

The school remained on lockdown, and students and staff were kept safe in their locked classrooms while deputies searched the campus for the firearm. After the 17-year-old was identified, he was removed from his classroom and detained. The firearm was found in his vehicle and the lockdown was lifted.

Students were ultimately released from school to their parents.

“I cannot thank or praise the school administrators enough for their professionalism and sense of urgency in protecting the staff and students here at Lennard High School,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “While this firearm was not brought into the classroom, we take the threat of a firearm on campus very seriously. The safety and security of schools is a top priority.”

The 17-year-old was placed under arrest for possession of a weapon on school property.