Based on a release from the Gainesville Police Department
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A 15-year-old student was arrested Tuesday afternoon after police say he brought a handgun onto the Gainesville High School campus, showed it during a confrontation with another student, and later pointed it at that student and the student’s mother.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, school resource officers at Gainesville High School were alerted around 12:27 p.m. on June 17 that a student had a firearm on campus and had displayed it during a dispute with another student. Investigators said the conflict was tied to an ongoing disagreement that began the night before.
Police said the situation escalated after the initial confrontation. As the other student was leaving the school with his mother, the two reportedly saw the suspect a short distance from campus. Authorities say the teen then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at both of them.
The student and his mother immediately went back to the school and notified the school resource officer, according to police. Officers then located the suspect nearby and took him into custody. Police said he was still carrying the handgun, which investigators later determined had been stolen.
The 15-year-old was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center, police said.
Gainesville Police Department noted that the swift actions of the victim, his mother, school staff, and responding officers may have prevented a tragedy.
