A 17-year-old was arrested Monday at Lake Weir High School after a stolen handgun was found inside his backpack.
The school’s resource officer, who is a sheriff’s deputy, was notified about the odor of possible marijuana coming from a student’s backpack. The school’s dean conducted a search of the backpack and found the 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun. A check of the weapon showed that it had been reported stolen in Marion County in August.
The student, who said he brought the gun to school for protection, was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. He was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, unlawful possession of a firearm by someone under the age of 18, grand theft of a firearm and burglary.