
DeLand Police officers found a gun in a student’s backpack at DeLand Middle School Wednesday, Sept. 13, after receiving a tip. The gun was confiscated, and the student was transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice and charged with felony possession of a firearm on school grounds.
Officers arrived at DeLand Middle School’s campus at 2 p.m. after receiving a tip through FortifyFL, an online crime-reporting tool. The school was then placed on lockdown until officers located the 13-year-old boy who was carrying a gun in his backpack, the DeLand Police Department said in a press release.
Police did not identify the student.
In a statement posted to social media and shared with parents, Principal John Devito thanked the law-enforcement officers who responded, as well as the person who reported the weapon.
“While such news can be concerning to parents, please know that no threats were made, and this is a prime example of FortifyFL working exactly as intended to ensure campus safety. I’d like to thank the individual who reported the suspected presence of a weapon,” he said. “As a result of this incident, please expect additional law-enforcement presence on campus at this time. You may also see additional security measures taken in the following days to combat such incidents.”
The DeLand Police Department said there were no reports of the student threatening anyone with the firearm.
— This is a developing story; we will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.
Thank you for the information, Noah.
Looks like it is time for Metal Detectors at all Volusia County Schools. Like they have at all High School sporting events here in DeLand.
What say you School Board or are you all too busy giving everyone BIG Raise$?
Make an example of this little punk.