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Hillsborough County, FL - A 14-year-old student was taken into custody after allegedly entering Tomlin Middle School in Hillsborough County while suspended and displaying what appeared to be a firearm.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, deputies say the incident occurred on the morning of November 20th, when authorities received a report about an armed student who was not authorized to be on the property.
Investigators learned that the boy had been suspended from school the previous day and was prohibited from returning to campus.
Despite this, he allegedly entered the school grounds and showed an object resembling a handgun to another individual.
The witness reported the encounter to school officials, prompting law enforcement to respond.
Deputies made contact with the teen shortly after the report and questioned him about the alleged weapon.
According to the sheriff’s office, the student admitted to bringing a pepper-ball gun onto the campus.
The device, which resembles a traditional firearm, is designed to fire irritant-filled projectiles but is still classified as a weapon under Florida law when brought onto school property.
Following the interview, deputies went to the student’s residence, where they located and recovered the pepper-ball handgun described in the report.
The teen was then arrested and transported to a juvenile detention facility.
According to the sheriff’s office, the student has been charged with trespassing on school grounds after receiving notice and with armed trespassing.
The agency stated that the investigation remains active and that bringing any type of weapon or realistic-looking device onto a school campus will result in criminal charges.
Authorities did not release additional details about potential disciplinary actions from the school.