Student Found With Loaded Gun At Hillsborough High School: Police

TAMPA, FL — A 16-year-old student is facing multiple charges after police say he was found in school with a loaded gun in his backpack.

The boy, whom Patch is not identifying because of his age, was arrested Friday and charged with a misdemeanor and three felonies, including illegal possession of stolen property and possession of a gun on a school campus.

According to police, Hillsborough High School faculty received a tip Friday about a student vaping in a restroom. After finding the 16-year-old, staff escorted the teen to the office. After learning school officials planned to search his backpack, the teen contacted another student who came to get his bag from him, police said.

A school resource officer located the other student and the 16-year-old's backpack, police said. Upon searching the bag, the school resource officer found a 9mm gun and more than 20 rounds of ammunition, police said.

According to police, authorities don't believe the teen planned to harm anyone at school.

The teen was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center and charged, police said.