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3 Centennial High School students accused of weapons possession, Port St. Lucie police say

WPTV-CENTENNIAL-HIGH-SCHOOL.jpg
Posted at 11:25 AM, Nov 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-15 23:18:35-05

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Two students from Centennial High School in Port St. Lucie are under arrest for weapons crimes, and a third is in police custody, after investigators say one of them brought a handgun onto school property and a school bus.

Police said cell phone photos showed a 19-year-old displaying a small black-colored handgun on campus on Thursday. He then brought the weapon onto his school bus home, according to police.

Detectives said when they went to the teen's home late Thursday night, they conducted a search but didn't find any weapons.

According to police, the handgun was eventually found at the home of a 17-year-old Centennial High School student. When police searched his home, they said they found the gun that was brought onto the school bus, along with other firearms.

Police said no threats were made toward the school or any students or faculty.

The 19-year-old is under arrest for possession of a firearm on school property, and the 17-year-old is facing charges of unlawful possession of a firearm. Neither of those students have been identified.

Because of the incident, security was increased at the school on Friday. During a narcotics sweep in the parking lot, school resource deputies found a stolen handgun in a third student's car, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said the weapon was located inside the glove compartment and was confirmed to be stolen out of St. Lucie County.

The driver of the car, a 17-year-old, was arrested for bringing a firearm on a school campus, as well as grand theft. WPTV is not naming him because of his age.

According to Sheriff Ken Mascara, there is no connection between this incident and the arrest of the other two Centennial High School students.

All three students will face severe consequences, including the recommendation for expulsion from Centennial High School, a school district spokesperson said.

Police remind students and parents to report any suspicious activity right away by calling law enforcement, or through the free Fortify Florida app.